Night Beat

The New Rising Sons genesis dates from 1964 when Ry Cooder , Taj Mahal and Jesse Kinkaid formed the Rising Sons in southern California.  The group also included Gary Marker and Ed Cassidy. They were a popular band in the Los Angeles area and often played clubs along the Hollywood strip. They recorded an album with Columbia records but, because they didn’t have a hit single, it was never released. The LP was widely bootlegged and after some 35 years was finally released.

In 2007 Jesse Kinkaid  and his new group became the house band at Mill Vally’s Sweetwater. With Jonathan Lovitt on guitar, Jake Baker on drums and Kurt Huget on bass, they were employed as the anchor band of the club. They decided to call themselves the New Rising Sons.

The current lineup includes Jesse Kincaid on guitar and fiddle, Mark Banning on guitar, Kim Carrigg on bass and Jake Baker on drums. Boudeeka O’Connor is the lead singer who also stars in the Summer Of Love Revue. In the Summer Of Love Revue she portrays both Janis Joplin and Grace Slick. She has an incredible vocal range and intensity which allows her to cover many genres. Mark Banning is also a phenomenal  player with a seemingly endless repertoire.

Having fun with the New Rising Sons

The evening started off with Jake Baker singing Otis Redding’s “Dock Of The Bay” followed by Jesse Kincaid on Jimmy Reed’s “Bright Light Big City.” Mark Banning performed a rendition of the Bobby Troup classic, “Route 66,” after which Boudeeke came to the stage and delivered a number of beautiful renditions.

Starting with “Blue Bayou,” the wonderful Roy Orbison song. This was followed by Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” and Janis Joplin’s “Piece Of My Heart.”

More classics followed, like “Long Cool Woman” sand by Jake Baker, “The Midnigt Hour,” “Brown Eyed Girl” and many more. Boudeeka came back with her “Chain Of Fools/Born On The Bayou” medley which filled up the dance floor.

The New Rising Sons L-R Jake Baker, Jesse Kincaid, Kim Carrigg, Boudeeka O'Connor and Mark Banning

Mark Banning

One of the best things to hear them perform is “Light My Fire,” the Doors smash hit. In their rendition all the complicated organ parts are played by Banning on the guitar. With some signal processing, it still doesn’t sound like Ray Manzarek but some whole new thing that is refreshing and nostalgic at the same time. It doesn’t sound quite like a guitar and certainly not an organ but something new and different to be appreciated.

Another great song performed by the New Rising Sons is “Stairway To Heaven,” Led Zeppelin’s iconic anthem one can often hear being played in music stores by beginners. These guys do the whole thing which is long and complicated. This is the only band I know which covers this song.

There were a couple of folks who sat in this evening too including Paul Seaward on Harmonica and Joe Tate who sang and played guitar on a couple of songs.

Paul Seaward assists on harmonica

Boudeeka is now engaged to be married and is moving away from the Bay Area. Her last dates with the New Rising Sons will be at the end of May. Time is running out to hear her sing in the area with the NRS so make a date soon to hear them.

This entry was posted on March 14, 2011 at 9:00 pm and is filed under Bay Area Music, Night Beat, Sausalito After Dark, Sausalito night life with tags americana, Bay area music, fun finder, guitar blues, Jesse Kinkaid, music in sausalito. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.