Soul Bands: The Sevilles and the Miller Brothers Band

The Sevilles are a ten-piece wedding band, playing parties, receptions, and special events in the Midwest, and they are one of the best cover bands I have ever seen. Ranging from Motown to 80’s to rock to funk to soul to classics, the band is one of the hardest working bands I’ve seen. Playing at my friend’s wedding reception this fall, the band made me want to dance—but also to just stop and watch them do their magic on the songs we all knew yet were coming out fresh and live from the band right there in front of us.

It’s great going to a wedding dance when the dance floor fills up on the favorites, songs that can really get everyone enjoying the party. But there’s something else completely special about having a live, full band lead you through these memory lanes of rhythm and melody.

It apparently hasn’t happened yet, but the Sevilles would make a tremendous cover album—an album that would make you fall in love again with the old songs while making you actually think that the Sevilles were a part of the scene the first time around.

Take a Soul Blues Band a Home:
The Miller Brothers Band’s Tales From Foundry Town

While the Sevilles only live on in my memory of that evening, and I can only hope to be at a party where they’re playing again, the Miller Brothers Band delivers up some good soul blues on Tales from Foundry Town. There’s a real blues feel to the songs—“Wolf at Your Door” even has an Eddie Turner-like riff. However, with outstanding keys from Bob Ramsey, soulful backup singing from Gia Ciambotti and Sharon Celani, plus a Motown bass line from Tommy Miller and Mark Tomorsky. It’s a bit like the Commitments tapping into soul, funk, blues, and Motown, although the Miller Brothers Band serve up all originals.

Thanks to the Sevilles and the Miller Brothers Band for the review CD.