Riverboat Soul

I had the good fortune to be walking around Pike Place Market in Seattle last year, and as I approached the park at the far end, I heard strains of music that beckoned and pulled me in. I hung out in the park for quite a while and listened to Pokey LaFarge and the South CIty Three. I'm delighted that they've put out a new album. Pokey is a young man with an old soul. These guys are skilled, versatile musicians and Pokey is a charismatic entertainer. They hail from St Louis but spend most of the year criss-crossing the US bringing their brand of Riverboat Soul to those of us unfortunate enough not to have been born by the banks of the Mississippi. Their music harkens back to an older time but with a new sensibility--- more like alt-roots folk/blues than just trying to re-create a bygone era. Hard to describe, really, but no one is making music now like Pokey and the boys. Give them a listen. Also check out Pokey's excellent Beat, Move, and Shake. And if they play a small venue in your area, go see them live. You'll be glad you did.

A great collection of songs from a great artist. I love this cd

This is what I call "gateway Pokey". You start with this innocently enough and it just gets better.Such a talented group of people. Anyone will enjoy this album - it's such a refreshing change to contemporary music. Fair warning, many of these songs will get stuck in your head (La La Blues).Stumbled on this artist by accident and have become a big fan, his other albums are equally as fun but not the same thing over again.

Riverboat Soul is a fun, energetic CD that will have you up and dancing in no time! I just returned from a trip to Rhode Island where I caught Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three live at the Newport Folk Festival...they travel all over the US and Europe. If you get a chance to see them live you should definitely do so...if not, you will find yourself playing their CDs over and over, wishing you could see them live!

Great stuff. I was interested in his music after hearing his interview on Fresh Air, and that he was influenced by Jimmy Rogers. I'm really a fan of regional music, and this is a bit too cool for me, but my son really liked it, and it was a great gift for him.

Pokey and the Lads steal old melodies, overlay old-time lyrics with a modern vibe and somehow produce a raw but top-notch production. Not an easy task. I love the whole feeling of this album. Like they just fell into the studio, unpacked, tuned and did 1 take of each song. Immediate and vital music with direct links to old-time music. It's no coincidence that you'll be tapping your foot thinking, "I know that melody!". Pokey--like Woody, Bob, and all the real American Folkies--has no problem shop-lifting old tunes. Like the oral poets, he even lifts a few well-known phrases, but crafts them into something new and very entertaining. Highly recommended.

if you like Pokey Laforge you really like this one

Great, great stuff! After watching the opening of PawnShop Chronicles and hearing the first minute or so of La La Blues, I had to find out who was this band with the great vocals and hot harmonica player. I'm now a solid fan. Listen to Riverboat Soul and you will be too.