the maybelles

the maybelles

The Maybelles (Jan Bell & Melissa Carper) firmly believe they very well may be the spiritual daughters of such greats as Hazel Dickens, Memphis Minnie, Jimmie Rodgers, Roy Orbison, Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, and of course Mother Maybelle herself. It may also be more than co-incidence that Bob Dylan was on tour in northern England at the time of Ms. Bells conception. However, none of this has been proven by DNA testing. Perhaps Bell's approach to the harp rack is proof enough...The genetic line does not stop there - long lost cousin Gillian Welch has been unknowingly copying Carpers' vocal stylings for years now. Carper, virtually unknown, does not seem to mind - preferring to labor in obscurity. She is currently focussing on perfecting a more Leadbelly-esque edge, combined with Peggy Lee-ish subtleties.

The Maybelles now release their second album White Trash Jenny, made in New Orleans at Mike West's ninth ward pickin' parlour (as was their first album Songs for my Baby). White Trash Jenny is a collection of original story songs alongside rootsy and reverential tear jerkers, heartbreakers and murder ballads. Carper plays upright bass, banjo and guitar. Bell plays guitar, penny whistle and washboard.

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Read what people are saying about the Maybelles:

"Nottinghamshire-bred Jan bell has long set herself above the run of lady folkies with an old timey spareness suggesting a Renaissance faire on the Mississippi delta; her 'I want no country' is one of the saddest, most plainspoken, most skeptical 9-11 songs by anybody.

Now she's got an expert band called the Maybelles behind her, and their dark but catchy tunes on the fine new White Trash Jenny (including a Woody Guthrie union anthem) never once sink into mere bluegrass reverence."

--Chuck Eddy, senior editor, village voice top ten music events and PICK, march 2005.

"The incredible string band immediately springs to mind"

-- Off Beat Roots Music Mag, New Orleans

"Beautiful, soulful record, the best music we received on tour."

-- Jolie Holland (Anti recording artist)