Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds

Yup, that’s me – hangin’ with the sista – Sista Sparrow that is. OK, I can’t honestly make that claim. We’re not on first name basis, let alone a nickname basis, but I did have the absolute pleasure of listening to Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds jam at the World Café in Philly on March 3rd. And I had the additional pleasure of speaking with the lead singer Arleigh Kincheloe, a.k.a. Sister Sparrow, and a few members of the band when they came out after the show to meet and greet.

The house seemed to enjoy the music of American Babies, who opened the show, but when Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds began to play, there was no doubt about their reception. Those who weren’t up dancing by the third song were swaying and shaking in their seats.

Sometimes when a band premieres new music on stage as the Dirty Birds did at the World Café, it takes a while to grow on you…not so in this case. They played several songs from their newly released album, Pound of Dirt, including “Dirt”, “Make it Rain”, “Another Ride”, and “Horse to Water” and we bought it online the next morning. Their own music is outstanding but they must also be given credit for a few remarkable covers that they did; including The Band, “Up on Cripple Creek”, Queen, “Fat Bottom Girls”, and the Stones, “Miss You”. They absolutely rocked and I think that the original bands would have all been duly impressed!

Last year, my husband discovered Sister Sparrow and after hearing a few songs from their first self-titled album that was released in 2010, I loved the groove. Then, I was thrilled to see that they were in the line-up for Gathering of the Vibes, 2011. Of course anyone who was at the Vibes fest last July experienced the almost unbearable heat that we all somehow managed to endure. And if we, the audience, thought that we were suffering, imagine what it was like to be jamin’ up on the stage. I could only guess that it must have been a traumatic ordeal which Arleigh Kincheloe (Sister Sparrow) confirmed, saying, “Yeah, I was sooo sick after that show. “ It sure wasn’t apparent to us. When I asked if they would be playing Vibes again this year, she wasn’t sure. Hey Vibes – I’m thinking main stage this year!

Someone, who had never heard the band play before, asked me before the show at the World Cafe, what type of music they were going to be hearing. I said that it was hard to say, but that it was a mix of rock, blues, and Memphis soul. I’m not really sure how to classify it, but I described Sister Sparrow as having a huge stage presence, which she does, and a voice that bellows out a young and clean, Janice Joplin type sound. Oh, and her incredible talent doesn’t overpower the additional talent of her brother, Jackson on harp, and the rest of the band, including a four piece horn section.

The downstairs room at the World Café is an excellent setting for live music. I can’t say enough about the venue, the band, and the band’s gracious appearance after the performance to meet with their fans, sign CD’s and t-shirts, and share a few words as well.

Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds have a full schedule, so try to work it into yours and catch them live. They are playing with Ryan Montbleau, another favorite performer of mine, on April 14th at the Musikfest Café in Bethlehem, Pa. Most unfortunately I’ll be away…although I’m almost considering canceling my trip for the show! They’re that good.