Michele D'Amour and the Love Dealers
Kirkland, Washington, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2011 | SELF
Music
Press
MICHELE D’AMOUR & the Love Dealers/Heart of Memphis: Even though this is blues and not world beat, world beaters will get it when D’Amour says Memphis feels like home. More of a blues/Memphis soul stew than a straight up Stax etc. feeling set, this white girl with the blues doesn’t make any bones about taking blues where she needs to as it takes her where it will. Fun stuff for modern ears that don’t really care about picking cotton on the delta and want to hear some choogling the way they think it should be. On the money throughout. - Midwest Record
Michele D’Amour grew up in the Seattle region, and she and her band, The Love Dealers, have four releases already under their belt. Back in January, they made the trek to Memphis for the IBC, and were so taken in by the ambience and history of the Bluff City that they headed straight to Royal Studios and producer Boo Mitchell to lay down what would become their fifth release, “Heart Of Memphis.” Seven originals and one sho’ nuff funky cover make this one a solid package, indeed!
Michele’s got that big, bold voice, and The Love Dealers have a cool rhythm and horn section, laying down a serious groove, no matter the song. Leading off is the Santana-by-way-of-Peter Green vibe of “Another Sleepless Night, my baby’s gone away!” Michele gets into her best come-hither lines to coax a lover to “Come On Over, I need some relief,” in this smoldering, sexy, strutter. Our heroine later finds herself down at the Crossroads in “Cradle To The Hearse,” where “nothin’s so bad it can’t get worse!” This one has some fierce, booty-kickin’ sax from Noel Barnes. Everybody gets funky on a cool take of one of STAX’s most iconic instrumentals, “Memphis Soul Stew,” and they close out with our favorite. Michele plays the blues preacher to the hilt as she lays out a bittersweet story of playing in bars for the lovers, the broken, the homeless, and those who just want to drink their troubles away over a musical backdrop. It’s a church-ified tale of “Strange Angels,” where “we’re all community here,” unlikely shepherds to a culturally-diverse flock.
Michele D’Amour And The Love Dealers are all fantastic musicians in their own right. When you add the soul, blues, and overall vibe of Memphis and the Royal Studios into the mix, “Heart Of Memphis” becomes a powerful set, indeed!!!" Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues And Roots Alliance. - Don and Sheryl's Blues Blog
The album recorded in Memphis, live in the recording studio , without all the embellishments that modern digital recording usually imposes on the “in studio” sound of bands and artists, is a refreshing and at times quite exciting approach to “keeping” the sound as real and live as you can get.
You have no hesitation in understanding that what you hear on this cd is what you would get in a live performance! And that’s a great thing! Michele sings with fire and gusto on some classic stomping Rn B grooves, then brings it down to a soulful, melodic romp when required. The band play with a skill and feel that complements her singing so well. They are a tight and professional unit, individually excelling when called upon, and always laying down a solid , pulsating rocking rhythm, getting very funky, down and dirty! And don’t we just love it! - Mystery Train
Discography
- Sin Comin' On - 2014
- Ante Up - 2015
- Lost Nights at the Leopard Lounge - 2017
- Wiggle Room - 2018
- Heart of Memphis - 2019
- Christmas in Blue - 2019
- Hot Mess - 2022
Photos
Bio
Bringing an energetic mix of r&b, blues, funk, and soul, and led by powerhouse vocalist Michele D'Amour, Michele D'Amour and the Love Dealers play a mix of covers and originals designed to get people dancing! The music covered includes Average White Band, The Meters, Wilson Pickett, Neville Brothers, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Dr. John, and more.
The band has won numerous awards for Michele's vocals, the band, and for songwriting. They have taken the stage in venues and festivals throughout the Pacific Northwest, as well as California, Idaho, Montana, and Memphis, TN. Rhythm section Patrick McDanel on bass and Carl Martin on drums have played together for years and lock in together beautifully. Guitarist Steve Gorringe studied with many guitar greats and has performed throughout the Northwest, California, New York, New Orleans, and Europe and is noted for his evocative, soulful solos. Sax player Noel Barnes has performed with many bands in the Pacific NW and contributes stellar funk chops as well as inventive solos. Merlyn Ahern (keys) has performed throughout the United States as well as abroad and brings strong harmonic accompaniment to the mix.
With fans saying things like, "That girl really has some pipes!" and "Wow, that band is so tight," this is a band you will want to book!
We can configure as a 4-pc (vocals/guitar/bass/drums), 5-pc (add sax), or 6-pc (add sax and keys) depending on budget and stage space.
LINKS:
http://www.micheledamourandthelovedealers.comhttps://soundcloud.com/micheledamourlovedealers
https://www.facebook.com/MicheleDamourandtheLoveDealers
Show calendar at: https://www.micheledamourandthelovedealers.com/shows
http://www.micheledamourandthelovedealers.comListen at: https://soundcloud.com/micheledamourlovedealers/sets/hot-mess/s-y4oCIQZJarU?si=bc6c2e12af5540e79da43...
https://soundcloud.com/micheledamourandthelovedealers/sets/lost-nights-at-the-leopard
Members are: Michele D'Amour, lead vocals and occasional percussion; Carl Martin, drums; Patrick McDanel, bass and background vocals; Steve Gorringe, guitar; Noel Barnes, saxophone; and Merlyn Ahern, keyboards.
Band Members
Links
