"A voice that’s as round, warm and redolent as peach pie made from scratch. She’s remained faithful to her gifts, and to her hometown of New Orleans, even after Katrina wiped out her house and possessions and took the life of her brother Barry. But she’s more than a survivor; she’s a triumphant master of melody."
As a duo: Susan Cowsill (Vocals & Guitar) Russ Broussard (Drums & Vocals)
As our NOLA and CIV band add: Jimmy Robinson (Lead Guitar & Vocals) Pete Winkler (Bass Guitar & Vocals) and/or Mary Lasseigne (Bass Guitar & Vocals) Janson Lohmeyer (Keyboards & Vocals)
Bridges In A Small World
Walt Disney was right about something: "It IS a small world after all". It just seems that Stanley Milgram's "six degrees of connectedness" theory is often proven to only be two or three degrees. Example: I just found out that Susan Cowsill and her husband, Russ Broussard, who are playing a benefit concert for our "Women Against Military Madness" group this Sunday (July 6) beginning at 5 pm at the Minnesota Music Cafe, also contributed after the Minneapolis I-35W bridge came down to this “Musicians for Minneapolis” 57 song CD, the proceeds of which went to the Bridge Disaster Relief Effort.
These were their notes at the time: “We all have empathy and understanding for the family members of those lost in this tragedy. We lost Barry Cowsill in the aftermath of Katrina and had to wait months to learn of his death.
On the day of his funeral Susan’s oldest brother passed away. We are still here and still finding great meaning and satisfaction in Life. We pray for all to have hope, love for all those affected, forgiveness, and willingness for Good in your heart. We are all One as our hearts ache and we close our eyes to feel peace in our hearts. Bless all of you who were touched by the I-35 Bridge collapse.”– Russ Broussard, Continental Drifters
“The members of the Continental Drifters send our love and hearts out to the families affected by the collapse of the Interstate 35 West Bridge in Minneapolis and to all the residents of that city. We hope that this song helps in the healing process.” – Peter Holsapple, Continental Drifters
Submitted by Coleen Rowley for MN BLUE on July 3, 2008 - 1:37pm.
Here's just some of what the Press has had to say ...
Rolling Stone June 30-July14, 2005
Just Believe It is Cowsill's first solo album, and it is the hardy, heartbreaking sound of a woman in the prime of her singing and songwriting life. --David Fricke
The Times Picayune/Lagniappe, "The Best of the Fest" May 5, 2006
Not only does Susan Cowsill boast an angelic voice, but she's also a gifted songwriter who conjures vivid images that cut right to the emotional heart of the matter. Her band, featuring husband Russ Broussard on drums, is also first rate.
Find out why the Austin Chronicle voted "Just Believe It" as one of the top 10 albums released on the planet in 2005. (Jan '06)
Home of Rock, Germany October, 2004
Brilliant musical realization; sentimental, life-affirming she proves with this atmospheric and never-boring album her supremacy within the community of the so-called Roots-Rock Women. Cowsill solidifies her reputation (as) an impressive singer and mature author of honest stories. Absolutely recommended!
allmusic Susan Cowsill has been making records since she was seven years old, ...Just Believe It is a rich and mature album that blends rock, pop, folk, and alt-country influences into a coherent and compelling whole that provides a perfect backdrop for Cowsill's songs. Quite simply, debut albums are rarely as moving, as revealing, or as accomplished as Just Believe It, -- this is masterful music from a major talent. -- by Mark Deming
Roots Music Report July, 2006
...A very gifted vocalist,…that spells total listening enjoyment whether you are hearing her rendition of rock, pop or folk. It is all good! ...a remarkable songwriting talent. Her stories are compelling, moving and presented with such emotional attachment. --Brenda Barbee - RMR Staff Reviewer
No Depression May, 2001
Challenging, smart, experienced relentless and regretful, these utterly distinctive offerings are the stuff big-time solo careers are made of.
Lost In the Grooves July 21, 2006
…a great new album from Susan Cowsill. …the album is fantastic and I hope you search it out. She can hold her own with any female singer out there from Crowe to Pink to Amos and, shit, any male singer as well. Her voice is glorious and so is this CD.
Offbeat Magazine, “Best of New Orleans,” Hot Pick November 23
Her voice conveys a clear-eyed, lived-in hope, particularly on the title cut, and the beautiful Nanny's Song with Lucinda Williams is Cowsill at her most heartbreaking. The news on the album is its range, from the hard-rocking I Know You Know to the Wawona song fragments. The strings and psychedelic production touches are pleasant surprises.
John Mills for Harp Magazine at March 2008 SXSW
"Cowsill’s music and larger-than-life vocals filled this sacred space, echoing off the cascading walls. From her Continental Drifters nugget “The Rain Song” to her more recently-penned tribute to New Orleans, “Crescent City Snow,” it was about the purest pop I heard my entire trip."
Veteran Rock Critic John Swenson on Jazz Fest 2008
Jazzfest 2008 opened on a near perfect afternoon of mild weather, the perfect setting for the day's great music. The Acura stage began with three great sets of music from New Orleans women bandleaders, Susan Cowsill, Kim Carson and Theresa Andersson. The three women shared the stage during each other's performances in an enthusiastic display of solidarity. "I've made it to the big girl stage" Cowsill said happily during her set. Though she's a veteran of the New Orleans music scene at this point Cowsill still exudes the little girl charm that dates back to the days when she was the little sister in her family band, the hitmaking '60s pop group the Cowsills.
But Cowsill's voice is now a fully mature instrument. She delivers the knowing sorrow of heartbreak ballads like "The Rain Song" with the same skill as the angry payback she dishes on "Talkin'" and the whimsical joy she brings to her old family's hit "The Rain, the Park and Other Things." But on this opening day of Jazzfest Cowsill's most powerful moment came with her dramatic reading of "Crescent City Snow," her post-Katrina composition that is fast becoming an anthem for returning New Orleanians.
Though she's been singing for most of her life, Susan Cowsill has never gone solo before - unless you count a couple of early '70s singles that you'd have to hire a detective to find. Now, after her famed childhood with the Cowsills, her ten years with the Continental Drifters and too many guest appearances to list, Susan has finally recorded her first solo album, entitled Just Believe It.
Not many people were singing on hit singles and touring the world when their friends were still in kindergarten, but The Cowsills became a cherished part of '60s pop culture. As the role model for television's Partridge Family, and a fine act in their own right, they had three top-ten singles with "Hair," "The Rain, the Park and Other Things (Flower Girl)," and "We Can Fly." Soon after those successes, Susan went into her first retirement at the tender age of 12.
The '80s found Susan working with cult figure Dwight Twilley, her harmonies adding sparkle to many of Twilley's greatest tracks, including his hit single "Girls." Pop lovers could also spot her guesting with Redd Kross and the Smithereens. In the early '90s The Cowsills launched a fullfledged reunion, with new songs in a solid powerpop vein, and released the Global album, becoming cult heroes all over again. More guest appearances by Susan during this time were on two Hootie and the Blowfish records, Jules Shear, Kate Jacobs, and Giant Sand.
Susan's life and music took a fateful turn when she joined the popular roots-pop combo, the Continental Drifters. Susan's exuberant stage presence and beautiful vocals proved an asset to the band. The Drifters made three critically-acclaimed albums, all of which recorded Susan blossoming as a songwriter. The 1999 disc Vermilion led off with Susan's country-pop gem, "The Rain Song." One publication gloated, "...vocal on the chorus...is the most heartbreaking musical moment of 1999." (Gambit Weekly, Dec. 28, 1999) The song has since been covered by both The Bangles and Hootie and the Blowfish. And 2001's Better Day album found her contributing four songs (one co-written with drummer, Russ Broussard). No Depression magazine noted on these songs, "...are the stuff big-time solo careers are made of."
Susan's Cowsill's solo album Just Believe It is the next logical step after the Drifters. Susan continues to write beautifully melodic songs, taking sympathetic looks at the imperfictions of life and love. Susan Cowsill's gumbo sound springs from '60s pop roots with seasonings of Louisiana groove, country, and rock. Whether she's doing her own material or covering the likes of Sandy Denny or Lucinda Williams, she can always connect with a haunting tune and emotive lyrics. As Bilboard Magazine expresses, "Cowsill...mines a child-like vulnerability, as she employs her achingly tarnished voice to a simple and moving effect." Susan's songs and voice have all the ingredients and delivery for her to easily be a hugely successful 'crossover' artist.
Lastly Susan may your family ,youeslf have Happy Thanksgiving.It is hard to believe it is already here with Christmas just ahead of us. As Christmas comes, If Susan were to gramt me one Christmas I would ask her to cut one track, I would really love to hear her do a track by John Lennon--Happy Christmas...Have a happy week and weekend. Saints are 10-0... they sure are uplifting the city. Best of Holidays Susan to and Russ.Zoe
Part 2 -flooding of New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward and neighboring St. Bernard Parish.
Judge Duval called the Corps' approach to maintaining the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet "monumental negligence."
"Clearly, the Corps failed to maintain and operate the MRGO in a manner so as not to be a substantial factor in the destruction of the Reach 2 Levee," wrote the judge in his 189-page ruling.
"In addition, it failed to take action that it could have taken to place foreshore protection using the very operation and maintenance funds which proved to be sufficient to fund these actions in the 1990s," he wrote. "Instead, it ignored the safety issues for the inhabitants of the region and focused solely on the maritime clients it serviced so well."
"Futhermore," wrote the judge, "the Corps failed to notify Congress of the dangers which it perceived or should have perceived in the context of environmental damage to the wetlands caused by the operation and maintenance of the MRGO..."
However, Judge Duval held that the Corps was not responsible for the flooding of eastern New Orleans, where two of the plaintiffs lived. But St. Bernard Parish, one of the more devastated areas, lies just south of the MRGO.
During the trial in May, the plaintiffs' experts told the court that the MRGO outlet became a "hurricane highway" that funneled storm surge into New Orleans. They said that without the channel, the flooding would have been minimal.
Government experts argued that Hurricane Katrina would have overwhelmed the levees and floodwalls with or without the contributing effect of the MRGO.
Hey Susan not sure if you read this but wanted to pass it alone if not and others can see what is the latest there
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' failure to maintain a navigation channel led to massive flooding in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, a federal judge ruled late [Wednesday].
A rescue helicopter flies through a neighorbood in search of survivors in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, September 4, 2005. (REUTERS/Robert Galbraith)
The decision could make the federal government the target of billions of dollars worth of legal claims by more than 100,000 other individuals, businesses and government entities that also sustained damages from the water that inundated 80 percent of the city when the levees protecting the low-lying city were breached in several places.
Katrina made landfall August 29, 2005 in southeast Louisiana as a Category 3 storm. At least 1,836 people lost their lives in the hurricane and in the subsequent floods. Damage estimates were well in excess of $100 billion.
U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval ruled in favor of six residents and one business who claimed that the Corps' inadequate oversight of the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet led to the
UTICA NY- Utica Music & Arts Festival-Booked/Confirmed/ September 16-18th New Jersey-Radio Interview/show New Jersey- Six Flags Park- Live And Local-Now Scheduling Scranton PA-Breaking The Mold/Marywood University/Confirmed Philadelphia PA-Now Scheduling Nashville TN- Now Scheduling Houston TX- Shooting Stars Showcase- Now Scheduling Colorado- Now Scheduling Festival CA- Dates TBA WEST COAST-TBA
Yikes I Needed to Re-Edit my last post wrote to quick....Hey Susan I am very happy to see the Saints stay perfect with 35-27 win over Falcons.It is very nice to see positive things taking place in New Orlands especially with the Saints who are doing so well, they are uplifting everyones spirits in the city . As John Lennon once said. While there is life, there is hope. ( I think this is what he said) Take care of yourself.I send my greetings to your husband Russ Broussard...Happy a Cool weekend ! Sorry for a mistake filled post earlier. Best of days.. Zoe
Hey Hey Susan I am very happy to see the Saints stay perfect with 35-27 win over Falcons.It is very nice to see positive things taking place in New the Saints and they do so well, they are uplifting the everyones spirits in the city . As John lennon said. While there is life, there is still hope. ( I think this is what he said. Take care of yourself.I send my greeting to your husband Russ Broussard... Take you both.Sincerely, Zoe
Well, i am glad i made it down last night ... y'all rocked! Great show, great new line-up ... love the new band ... those Craft brothers are, well, Crafty but, can they play the kitchen sink! Safe travels and catch ya soon!
There is currently a search for two types of bands for record label consideration.
*** Note: PLEASE IDENTIFY IF YOU ARE IN GROUP 1 OR 2 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR RESPONSE. Emails are being reviewed by different representatives.
1. A Pop/Rock/Commercial band with female lead. Band must consist of 2 guitars (Prefer both guitar players to be of lead caliber. However, one lead and one rhythm is acceptable), keyboard/piano, bass, and drums. Lead vocal, followed by backing vocals, in that order, is a plus as it relates to other members of the group. Average age of the band cannot exceed 28 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
2. A Modern Rock band with male lead. Must be a complete band but there are no prerequisites as it relates to the make up of the band. Average age of the band cannot exceed 23 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
XXX - If you meet the minimum qualifications as described above. Email a link for your MySpace Page and if applicable, a link for your website to: recordingartistsearch@gmail.com
Only send one email with your links. Due to the volume of responses normally received for these types of opportunities. After review of your material, you will only be contacted if there is an interest in attending one of your shows by a label representative. As such please to not send any follow up emails regarding selections. If you were not contacted back, there was not an interest.
Thank You.
PS: Before You Enter Any MySpace Contests You Might Want To Also Review The Website At: www.st
Hi Susan just wanted to send greetings from Music City. I really hope some day you can come here and do a concert. It would be really cool for the band to appear at the
WildhorseSaloon... Thank you very much for all the enjoyable music. When I went to Florida to scatter my mothers ashes, the Nanny song really helped me to get through it. As was wrote It’s real life that sets you free. I really hoped my mother Could take it all with her.Please remember this is breast cancer awareness month. Cancer took my mom quickly and suddendly without warning and Susan I know my mom was also saying Oho Oho I don’t want to leave this earth Oho Oho I don’t want to let it go.. Thank you for this inspired song that help me get though a difficult ordeal. Please book a Nashville, Tour..We want you here. Have a cool weekend Susan. Best of days, Zoe...
Hi Susan just stopped by to send greetings to the Susan Cowsill Band and note of thanks. I think of your song, I know you know, every time I get on the freeway, it sure is a perfect day, when somebody, anybody or everybody lets me change lanes on the freeway, this is the perfect way to start the day.. I just wondered your Just Believe It CD has two Bonus Tracks: Mr. Everything | Don't Worry Baby only the online sales of Just Believe It do not contain these tracks..Is there some place we fans can obtain those tracks from ? Thank you, Zoe.
Susan wrote or co-wrote all 14 songs on Just Believe It (except for a lovely cover of Sandy Denny's "Who Knows Where the Time Goes"), and they manage to combine the freshness of a lyrical voice that's still revealing itself to the listener with the life experience of someone who can write honestly about love, death, parenthood, divorce, and the multitude of blessings and tragedies that go along with spending a few decades on this globe. In short, Cowsill has stories to tell, and she tells them with a skill and vigor that never lets artifice get in the way of cutting to the emotional truth of her subjects. She can also sing them with a voice that's both supple and full-bodied, pretty when she wants it to be and a gale force of emotion when that's needed. Cowsill's band locks these songs down with sympathetic dexterity that serves the songs without getting showy, and her pals Lucinda Williams, Vicki Peterson, and Adam Duritz add subtle but effective backing vocals on several tunes. Quite simply, debut albums are rarely as moving, as revealing, or as accomplished as Just Believe It, and while it may have taken Susan Cowsill nearly 35 years to get to this point in her career, the results are more than worth it -- this is masterful music from a major talent. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide
Online Now!
![[A rescue helicopter flies through a neighorbood in search of survivors in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, September 4, 2005. (REUTERS/Robert Galbraith)]](http://www.commondreams.org/files/article_images/katrina_armycorpsofengineersliable.jpg "katrina_armycorpsofengineersliable.jpg")
A rescue helicopter flies through a neighorbood in search of survivors in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, September 4, 2005. (REUTERS/Robert Galbraith)
