The Travelling Mabels

Trio's harmonies 'what country is all about' Travelling Mabels having a ball on the festival circuit BY TOM MURRAY, FREELANCE JULY 31, 2010 BE THE FIRST TO POST A COMMENT The Travelling Mabels Photograph by: Supplied, edmontonjournal.com CONCERT PREVIEW TRAVELLING MABELS Where: Big Valley Jamboree, Camrose When: Today at 1 p.m. on the mainstage, 3:30 p.m. at the songwriters' tent Tickets: Through Ticketmaster or at the gate - - - CAMROSE — Going from singing on a whim at an open mike to playing the mainstage at Big Valley Jamboree in just two years is a pretty good trick. No doubt any number of aspiring singers and songwriters would like to know exactly how Lana Floen, Eva Levesque and her daughter, Suzanne, pulled it off. Now known collectively as the Travelling Mabels, the three didn't necessarily set out to impress when taking a spot to sing (the Eagles') Seven Bridges Road at the Royalty Records party for the 2008 Canadian Country Music Awards. "We just wanted to sing together," says Eva Levesque. "Sue was nominated that year as bassist for Gord Bamford, and we were looking for somewhere to do it. We had these great three-part harmonies worked out, and it went over so well that we had a few business cards by the end." The former owner of Royalty Records himself came over to say how impressed he was with the trio, insisting that they think about continuing on as a band. "You know how when someone says something nice about you, but you know they're not being sincere? Well, he was being sincere, and that meant a lot. He said, 'This is what country is all about'." Taking him at his word, the three set to recording with members of Ian Tyson's band, a connection made through Floen's husband, who plays keyboards for the Alberta legend. The independent, self-titled album, which garnered comparisons to Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris's collaboration, took further advantage by having Tyson himself appear for a brief vocal spot. In just under two years, it's sold out many times after its initial pressing of a thousand. A song on the record called Mabel gives a clue as to how the band got its name. "It was during one of my periods away from music," Levesque explains. "I'd become a long-haul trucker with my husband, and we were down in Georgia, seeing friends who had a bluetick hound dog named Mabel, who was completely unruly. My friends said I had to write a song about him, so I did, in the truck. "It ended up being one of the ones we recorded. Later, when we were trying to come up with a group name by going over song titles, Keith (Floen) said, 'Mabel, that's a good one. You girls like to travel.' "So there it is; we're named after a dog." Based in and around Calgary, they are now slowly working toward a new record with Floen's husband, taking a few months off for a busy schedule of summer shows. Tyson has gone one step further and given the three a song written especially for them, and Levesque hopes the final result will be available early next year. "We've all done time playing in bars, and now we want to play at summer folk fests and coffee houses. That's where our sound is best suited, I think." - - - TODAY'S SHOWS Here's what's on the mainstage today at Big Valley Jamboree: - -1 to 1:45 p.m. -- Travelling Mabels - -2 to 3 p.m. -- Deric Ruttan - -3:30 to 4:30 p.m. -- Bucky Covington - -5 to 6 p.m. -- Ronnie Milsap - -7:30 to 8:30 p.m. -- Kevin Costner & Modern West - -9 to 10 p.m. -- Martina McBride © Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal Read more:
Kevin Costner feels the love at Big Valley Engaging frontman puts on spirited show with seven-piece band BY TOM MURRAY, EDMONTONJOURNAL.COM AUGUST 1, 2010 COMMENTS (2) Kevin Costner and Modern West plays at the main stage at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, Alta. on July 31, 2010. Photograph by: Ryan Jackson, edmontonjournal.com Concert review Big Valley Jamboree, with Travelling Mabels, Deric Ruttan, Bucky Covington, Ronnie Milsap, Kevin Costner & Modern West, Martina McBride. Saturday CAMROSE — Have we mentioned that Big Valley Jamboree is, in fact, really big? Not just in terms of musical star power and attendance, which was up 10 per cent from last year’s first two days, but also physical space. One can get lost in the many tent and RV areas, and the secondary areas for entertainment deserve something of a tip of the hat as well. While the Travelling Mabels and Deric Rutton played early sets on the mainstage, a number of other events were happening around the festival. A hypnotist drew standing room crowds to the family stage, while others sought solace in beer and karaoke. Bluegrass and small folk outfits took over one space, while a few onlookers took a chance and checked out the songwriters’ tent to see overlooked talent like Edmonton’s James Murdoch, who knocked off an impassioned acoustic performance along with five other singer-songwriters. That’s not to say that the Travelling Mabels or Deric Ruttan were to be avoided; the Mabels boasted a sunny, rootsy sound, highlighted by a song celebrating the “blue tick hounddog” they partially took their name from, while Ruttan grabbed the crowd with Lovin’ You is Killin’ Me and the title cut from his most recent album, Sunshine. © Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal Read more:
Entertainment Big Valley Jamboree The show must go on By CRASH CAMERON, EDMONTON SUN Last Updated: July 31, 2010 9:43pm Hello, Mable. They named the act after a hound dog — one of those Blue Suede Heelers. But the Travelling Mables are no rockabilly act. More Emmylou than Elvis. More like the Travelling Wilburys — you know, if they were girls. The mother, daughter and best-friend act sang a smart, sunshiney opening set on Saturday. I call them Matthew and the Mables, but that’s another story. see full article david.cameron@sunmedia.ca
www.newcountrystar.com "Saturday, the main stage will welcome, The Traveling Mabels and piano superstar Ronnie Milsap. Last year Kevin Costner and Modern West was next to perform but never got to showcase because of the tornadic stage collapse. Costner kept his promise to return and will bring his unique style of country music to this years event. Country music Goddess, and four time CMA ‘Female Artist of The Year’ Martina McBride will close the evenings performances." see full article
WFHB Music - Bloomington Community Radio WFHB Music Department - 91.3 FM for South Central Indiana - 98.1 FM in Bloomington Indiana SUNDAY, APRIL 4 Cathi's CD Reviews 4-4-2010 posted by Cathi N @ 11:15:00 AM Traveling Mabels, the – “Traveling Mabels” (Traveling Mabels Rec.) B+ Three Canadian lasses gather very talented musical friends and put out a first album, ripe with tight and beautiful harmonies, excellent musical arrangement and a sense of humor in songs reflecting their lives and experiences. “Smolder Blues,” for instants comically laments maturity forcing the singer to smolder, not burn. Many other tunes are about relationships and “Alberta Blue” is a tantalizing love song to their native Canada. Very easy on the ears, and good for all mixes. I’d call it Americana but these gals is Canadian!
The Travelling Mabels three generations, three voices- By Spencer Brown Beatroute Magazine - Spencer Brown view this article The Travelling Mabels, an all-female trio comprised of mother-daughter duo Sue and Eva and friend Lana, are about as Albertan as you would expect. Starting out casually in the fall of 2008, the three-piece played a record industry party at the Canadian Country Music Awards and, as Lana puts it, “had three business cards before we’d even left the stage.” With this early praise, the Mabels kept practicing and writing original songs, and had their eponymous first album out by June. The Travelling Mabels drew on their varied influences such as Emmy Lou Harris, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, early Sheryl Crow and Sweethearts of the Rodeo. With their vocal harmonies and instrumental abilities, they were able to pen eleven tracks with a few focusing on the blues. “Eva wrote them, but they’re about other people’s blues – we don’t get the blues!” laugh the Mabels. Also on the album is a guest appearance by Ian Tyson. Lana and Ian share a common bond: Lana’s husband, who functioned as Tyson’s keyboard player. Lana and Sue reveal that their formula thus far has been a success. “We’ve done fantastically; we’ve sold out of 1,000 CDs so far and have even charted in the States. People are loving it and it’s nice to get a fan base right from the start.” For those ladies looking to start, or jump-start, the way the Travelling Mabels have, they recommend “doing what’s right for you and learning an instrument so you have musical knowledge. That way, you grow as your own artist rather than depend on other people.” While there are those that wonder what it’s like to play in a band with your mom, it’s nothing out of the ordinary for Sue. “On a cross-Canada trip, we always played music together, so there’s a chemistry between us. We dig at each other and have a back and forth, but it’s never malicious,” Lana agrees, stating, “We’re three generations of women and we all bring something to the table. That makes everything we do pretty cool.” The future promises a second Travelling Mabels album which “will be recorded in our basement with my husband,” according to Lana. “(It) will be more roots and acoustic than our first album as we’re going to focus on our vocals.” Further, the band wants to focus on “building a solid fan base, getting a booking agent, touring and playing something the size of the Jack Singer if we could.” The Travelling Mabels credit those around them for “making our work easy to do with their support,” and fans who have helped sell out shows in such locales as Black Diamond, Turner Valley and Pincher Creek’s Cowboy festival. They encourage those unfamiliar to “see the show; we love to meet new people.”
The Travelling Mabels- The Travelling Mabels Album review ALLISON BROCK FROM CKUA WIDE CUT COUNTRY/BACKROADS COUNTRY CD REVIEW IN THE CANADIAN COWBOY MAGAZINE October / November publication If you love great songs with superb female vocal harmonies, then this debut CD should be in your collection. Eva Levesque, daughter Suzanne and friend Lana Floen share most of the writing credits along with lead and harmony vocals that blend perfectly, creating a very smooth flowing sound on every track. All of the tracks are played plain and simple with the guitar, bass and banjo as the main instruments. These are supplemented tastily by several other musicians, including Ian Tyson's long-time band members, The Two Gords, (Maxwell and Mathews) Ian Tyson himself adds his raspy vocals briefly (along with the ladies) on a wonderful song penned by Pat Hatherly and Jim Lewis. The resulting Alberta Blue is definitely a highlight track on the disc. Any fan of Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris and Dolly Pardon's collaborations should enjoy this Alberta grown trio.
The Travelling Mabels set to play Twin Butte General Store April 17 By Debbie Houghtaling Reporter Pincher Creek Echo The-Travelling Mabels be making a stop at the Twin Butte General Store and Mexican Restaurant-on April l7 The-trio have been gaining popularity around southern Alberta. Here they play at the Blackbird Coffeehouse last Januiry.The Travelling Mabel's will be travelling to the Twin Butte General Store on April 17. The trio, from southern Alberta, has become more and more popular in Cole- man after playing at such venues as.the Blackbird Coffeehouse and was a verv popular act at last year's Cowboy Gathering. The Mabels' beautiful harmonies, extraordinary musical arrangement and a sense of humour in songs reflecting their lives and experiences make the ait one that is hard to beat. Songs like "Smolder Blues," is just one of many that relates the artists' talent and humour. The show begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 17.