April 6, 2005
Luther Gravey recording feeds off audience
Luther Gravey and the Soul Biscuits records live CD of soul and blues music at Union Street Station
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Raising the tin roof at Union Street Station Sunday for two shows Sunday, Luther Gravey and the Soul Biscuits fed their fans a high-energy repertoire of soul and blues favorites.
The nine-member band that features a red-hot horn section invited their loyal listeners and the public to two recording sessions. Laying down the tracks of their favorite tunes, backed by an enthusiastic audience, the band plans to release a live CD this spring. In addition to classic tunes, such as "Respect" by Aretha Franklin, they also recorded an original composition by guitarist and singer Mark Ducommun, entitled "Make You Mine."
A dance band known for their swinging shows and in high demand at weddings throughout the state, Luther Gravey fielded so many requests for an album that they decided it was time. Having released a studio production five or six years ago, for this round they wanted to honor their live sound and fans.
"Luther Gravey is a high-energy band, it's one of those things where we tend to really respond to the crowd and we decided, 'Let's give this a try,'" said Mike Hunter, who plays trombone and percussion as well as sings with the band. "When you get into a studio you try to be perfect and we didn't want that."
"We are going to be recording the crowd, too," he noted.
With the tracks recorded Sunday by Jack Conners, chief engineer at WIAA, the band wants to put the CD together over the next few months. They plan to produce and distribute between 1,000 and 5,000 copies.
Drummer Marty Beaudoin said the band rehearsed their favorite numbers for Sunday's recording sessions. Despite having played these songs together thousands of times, they wanted each number to be tight.
One hitch came when Victoria Balderach, the band's vocalist and keyboard player since 2000, woke up Sunday morning with a raging case of laryngitis. A quick trip to the doctor jump-started her robust voice, which she nursed through the recording sessions with tea and honey.
As with any experienced band, they are used to handling life's curveballs and forged on with their plans - making just a few musical changes.
"We threw in a few last minute changes and songs we hadn't planned on doing, songs we hadn't rehearsed," Beaudoin noted, adding of the fans who came out: "It was a good crowd, a lot of our regular people."
Beaudoin is the remaining original member of the band, which began as a four-piece blues band in 1987. Luther Gravey's sound and style evolved some over the years, until in 1997 the band added a horn section. Members initially worried about diluting the receipts from gigs by having so many members and also wondered how this unusual sound would play with audiences. Needless worries, Beaudoin said, as their updated groove was warmly embraced.
"The first year we tried it out, it was very successful, in fact it hasn't hurt us financially," he said. "It really made the band unique."
Some band members are professional musicians, such as Bob Hicks, the principal trumpeter with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra and Hunter, an instructor at Northwestern Michigan College. Others have jobs ranging from pharmacy to sales to insurance, carving out time from their daytime lives for the rehearsals and gigs.
Fun is the common denominator for all involved.
"We get along very well, we could play an empty room and have the best time," Beaudoin said. "We all really like playing with each other. Nobody is carrying anybody else, everybody is playing and singing. It is fun to play under those circumstances."