Shinyribs, Scott Strickland

Shinyribs reassembles the American song bag like a picker in a junkyard; Texas singer-songwriter, EastTx blues, Louisiana swamp n rhythm, honky tonk, Oklahoma swing, Golden-Triangle Cajun, andArkansas jazz are allfiltered through the singular vision of Kevin Russell, one of Austins most celebratedand criminally underrated singer-songwriters.The Austin-based supergroup has entered a bold new chapter with the small baller Shortribsconfiguration a tightly arranged powerhouse built to showcase what has always been at the heart of theShinyribs experience: Russells legendary songwriting chops, his iconic voice, and the infamous hi-jinksof the self-proclaimed worlds oldest living male exotic dancer. Hip shaking, booty twerking, armflapping, high kicking and karate chopping good times are guaranteed to send you home with achingcheeks and tear-stained laughter.At the rhythmic core is Keith Langford on drums Russells musical partner of 30 years, a bond forgedin the crucible of legendary, The Gourds and as essential to the Shinyribs sound as the backbeat itself.Mason Hankamer holds down the low end on bass, pulling double duty as co-producer of the last 3 Ribsplatters and musical director, tightening the arrangements and the show into something leaner and morepurposeful than ever.The Delta Dawns both hailing from the famous Memphis/Mississippi alluvialplain have been elevated to a full dynamic singing sisterhood: Kellee Broadway, who doubles onpercussion, and Schaefer Llana, who shakes the chandeliers and plays some guitar too.Eric Baker, a rising star in the Austin scene, frisks the pianoforte like a long-lost Leon Russell. Roundingout the band and perhaps its most exciting new voice is lead guitarist and pedal steel wizard Cat Clemons.Russell himself says it best: Clemons, beyond just notes and licks galore, possesses the ability tocommunicate psychically with audiences. Its really a feat to be experienced. More than just being able tosay you were there, one will be able to