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"you guys sounded terrific last night.
Great singing, great songs and great playing." - James Maddock
"wow - dulcet toned
hoes...Thanks for being part of a great evening, your star has yet to
begin to shine." - Vance Gilbert
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BE HEARD
Audience Members Got Lucky With Lucky 13 Show
The three members of Lucky 13 are indeed lucky — they are
talented, versatile, and clearly are doing something they love. The
audience certainly lucked out too when the female folk trio came to the
Port Washington Public Library to perform on Friday evening.
The only thing I was a bit unhappy about was the lack of
publicity regarding this concert by the library. This was a wonderful
show with top-rate performers and it deserved way more attention than it
got. Plus, it was competing with one of the first perfect weather Friday
evenings that we've had lately. Still, no one who showed up at this
concert was sorry that they spent the two hours indoors.
Lucky 13 came together in 2008 when the independent
record label, Sonic Underground, released a compilation CD to celebrate
its 13th year in business. The album was called "Lucky 13" and included
the work of three Sonic Underground artists — Marci Geller (Sonic
Underground founder and co-owner), Cathy Kreger and Susan DeVita. The
release went so well that the three decided to go on tour together,
using the name Lucky 13. In January of this year, DeVita departed and
was replaced by Diane Garisto.
All three women have had long and illustrious
backgrounds in music, including radio and TV appearances, acting as
back-up vocalists for major artists, and touring extensively. But
possibly the best thing about this talented trio is the fact that each
member is able to write music. Each is a talented singer-songwriter in
her own right, but together they are an extremely powerful musical
force.
They were introduced by WFUV's John Platt, who (aptly)
described them as "Crosby, Stills and Nash with estrogen." (They were
slightly more crudely described as "Crosby, Stills and Nash with boobs"
in a recent Long Island Pulse article.) The CSN analogy, however, was
appropriate as the trio's harmonies were tight and strong. The three
took turns singing lead on their own songs, with Geller on the piano,
Kreger on guitar, and Garisto playing some percussion. The sound was
marvelous. Songs ranged from bluesy to folk to pop ballad, with a few
"Beatles-esque" moments thrown in.
Some of the highlights for me included Kreger's
"Monsters in the Dark" which provided a great foil for the lower range
of her smooth alto, and "Day I Disappeared," a gorgeous piano-based
ballad featuring Geller. Garisto had her solo moments as well, with her
own song "My Island" and one of DeVita's songs, "Nobody Says
Sweetheart." Their lyrics were intelligent and frequently touching,
paired with strong melodies, harmonies and rhythms.
I'd recently seen another female folk trio,
Red Molly, also with tight harmonies and original songs. But Lucky
13 was definitely more pop-folk (as opposed to country-folk) … evoking
(as mentioned earlier) Crosby, Stills and Nash, Wilson Phillips, with a
hint of Tori Amos and Joan Osborne thrown in. All in all, it was an
excellent show, and I look forward to seeing them again in the future.
The trio may go by the name Lucky 13, but, in this case, the members of
the audience were the lucky ones
.
For more information about Lucky 13, visit their
website at
www.lucky13.fm.
They’re like Crosby, Stills & Nash—with Boobs
Author: Lisa Heffernan | Published: April 2010
Marci Geller, Cathy Kreger and Diane Garisto have long been staples on the
New York singer-songwriter scene. And now the three national touring
artists have joined forces to form the folk-rock band Lucky 13.
Stony Brook native Marci Geller, who has toured with Blackmore’s Night and
performed on Live with Regis and CNN Worldbeat, “came out singing,”
according to her mom. “[My parents said] anytime they put music on, I
would just perk up. Before I learned to walk, I would do the twist sitting
down anytime music played,” notes Geller. “And when there was a piano at
someone’s house, I would go and tinker with it. Music was a very organic
thing for me.”
Geller’s affinity for music led to the creation of her music production
company, Sonic Underground, which she runs with her husband, Gian DiMauro.
In 2008, Geller decided to celebrate the indie label’s 13th anniversary by
creating a compilation of music entitled Lucky 13, and the first person
she recruited was Huntington-based electro-acoustic powerhouse, Cathy
Kreger.
Inspired by her musical parents, folk-duo Bill and Robie, Kreger started
out playing piano and then got hooked on guitar. The contemporary folkie
has since opened for big acts like Aztec Two-Step and The Band. But her
most memorable experience was opening for Taj Mahal and Bonnie Raitt when
she was just 20 years old.
“I believe it was at the Silver Cloud Bluegrass Festival and I was playing
with my bluegrass band, Mainline Express,” recalls Kreger. “Bonnie Raitt
is a big musical influence and it was a great show, very powerful.”
The third artist on the compilation was Susan DeVita, who worked with Arif
Mardin and was signed to RCA records at a young age. And when the three
singers performed together in support of the release, the response was
overwhelming, with one fan commenting: “You’re kinda like Crosby, Stills,
& Nash, with boobs.”
“We went on a radio tour,” says Geller, “and every time we’d perform, the
deejay would say, ‘You guys are a band, right?’ And we’d be like, ‘No, no,
no, we’re three artists. We’re just on the same compilation disc.’ “They’d
look at us and say, ‘You guys should really be a band.’”
After choosing the moniker Lucky 13, the trio went on to perform
throughout the northeast, even appearing on the Fox Morning Show and WLNY
TV. And while Susan DeVita left Lucky 13 in January, their newest member,
Diane Garisto, is a natural fit.
The Manhattan-based chanteuse who appeared on Paul Simon’s Graceland and
Billy Joel’s River of Dreams, has performed with the likes of Steely Dan
and Laura Nyro. And, like Geller and Kreger, Garisto’s musical roots run
deep. Her father, a composer/jazz musician, was behind the original NBC
Peacock theme, and her cousin is the drummer for the Psychedelic Furs.
Garisto’s career began at 10 years old, when she sang “Yabba-Dabba-Doo” in
a Flintstones vitamin commercial.
“I sang the Flintstones commercial in a child’s voice,” remarks Garisto,
whose versatile voice can be heard in a myriad of commercials. “Voice has
always been my main instrument and that’s what I studied in school, but I
started playing guitar when I was about 12, and percussion is a fun
sideline.”
At live venues, you can witness the rich harmonies of the acoustic trio’s
diverse singing styles with Garisto on percussion, Geller on keys, and
Kreger on guitar, playing all originals, like the catchy “Lucky 13,” which
garnered a lot of airplay. You’ll also hear previews of songs from their
forthcoming CD, with an expected May release.
Because their music features elements of folk, rock, pop, blues and jazz,
Lucky 13 appeals to every demographic. But when asked whom they’d most
like to open for, each responded, “James Taylor or Carly Simon.”
“I credit Carly Simon with getting me through puberty,” remarks Geller.
“When I was a little kid, I felt like she was a friend who didn’t know me
yet. [Opening for her] seems like a far stretch at the moment, but we
might as well dream big!”
Catch the trio at The Garden Stage Coffee House in Garden City, NY on
April 9th. For more info:
http://www.Lucky13.fm.
Lucky 13 at the famous Katherine Hepburn Cultural Center
4/3/2010
By now the name Lucky 13 sounds familiar to most from the area. After a
tumultuous first year that ended in one of it's core members leaving, the
trio launched it's second year with the addition of legendary back up
vocalist Diane Garisto who is now not only a lead singer, but contributing
percussion and her well crafted songs to round out the repertoire.
Lucky 13 unites the talents of Connecticut native Cathy Kreger, Marci
Geller & Diane Garisto whose solo credits prior to the project include:
opening for Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal (Kreger), Performing on Live! With
Regis & being named one of the Top 10 Best Singer/Songwriters by
Performing Songwriter Magazine (Geller) and touring with Laura Nyro,
Steely Dan and singing on Graceland and River of Dreams (Garisto). "We
have all experienced success on our own, but at this age, it's nice to
have some company on the road…that and it sure helps having extra hands to
lug equipment teases founding member Marci Geller. Together they have a
synergistic blend of folk, jazz and blues woven together by warm and rich
harmonies.
In the short time the trio has been together, Lucky 13 has garnered
airplay and in-studios at radio stations across the Northeast including:
WFUV, WSHU, WPKN, WUSB, WOR, WHUD, WLIU to name a few. They were a
featured performer on the Fox Morning Show, WLNY TV and a feature article
in the New York Times sang their praises. This will be there second time
opening for national touring artist Vance Gilbert and have also opened for
notables John Flynn, Jack Hardy & KJ Denhert. They recently song swapped
in an invitation only showcase with Buskin & Batteau, Pete Kennedy and
Kevin So at the 2009 NERFA convention.
"Their chemistry is really kind of magical -John Platt, WFUV 90.7 FM
After successfully touring the northeast and becoming a well loved "buzz"
band, they are now continuing to broaden their audience with the recording
of their second CD to be released by Sonic Underground in 2010. The future
is looking bright for this trio of feisty, talented women. "I think the
real true beauty of this group is that we are each at an age where we've
stopped pursuing the elusive brass ring and have put our energy into the
music. We each have something to say because of the lives we've lived, and
that comes across in our music explains Geller. Catch them April 3rd at
the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Center for an evening that celebrates the
human spirit as the set the stage for the amazing Vance Gilbert.
The Katherine Hepburn Cultural Center is located at 300 Main Street, Old
Saybrook, CT 06475, Phone: 860-510-0473.
write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Jazz News :: home page
January 2010
Lucky 13 to play Last
Licks in Huntington
In 2008, three national
touring artists from Long Island got together to make a compilation in
celebration of music production company Sonic Underground’s 13th
anniversary. The compilation of acoustic blues, jazzy pop and folk songs
was entitled “Lucky 13.” When the three singers performed together in
support of this release, they created such a stir that Marci Geller, Cathy
Kreger and Susan DeVita became the folk rock trio, Lucky 13.
The band has performed in
coffeehouses and clubs throughout the Northeast, and even appeared on the
Fox Morning Show. And while Susan DeVita recently left Lucky 13 to
concentrate on family, the band’s newest member, Diane Garisto, is set to
make a great addition to these modern-day Carole Kings.
The talented
singer/songwriters have played or toured with musicians such as: Ritchie
Blackmore, Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Aztec Two Step, The Band
and Carly Simon. So check them out in an intimate setting while you
can—Saturday, January 23rd at the fine sounding Last Licks Café.
http://www.lucky13.fm/
Lisa Heffernan
Author: Lisa Heffernan
Originally from Newport, RI, Lisa Heffernan received a master's in
Communications from Emerson College in Boston before moving to New York.
She has written for Rolling Stone, Newport This Week, the New York Daily
News, Time Out and many other publications.
Songs of Their Making: Three Musicians Team Up
9/14/08
“This is the
kind of thing that could break the bubble,” said Michael Rothbard,
director of the 500-seat IMAC Theater in Huntington, who has booked them
for Thursday.
John Platt, who will host them Sept. 14 on his show on WFUV-FM, the public
radio station at
Fordham University, said their “chemistry is really kind of magical.”
(To read full article, click
HERE)
The
Times/Beacon/Herald
7/1/09
Rising
star
'Lucky
13'
making
music,
and
waves
By John
Broven
July
02,
2009 |
12:30 PM
During
the past
year,
Lucky 13
has been
building
up a
steady
head of
musical
steam.
The
group
appeared
most
recently
at
Huntington
Arts
Council's
Summer
Arts
Festival
on
Sunday,
with
headliner
Carrie
Rodriguez,
the
folk-rock
singer/songwriter.
Lucky 13
comprises
Stony
Brook-based
Susan
DeVita
and
Marci
Geller
(piano),
with
Huntington
Station
resident
Cathy
Kreger
(guitar).
All
three
sing and
write.
Geller
said the
arts
council
booking
came
about
after
Program
Director
Mary
Pentecost
saw the
group
perform
at
Huntington's
IMAC
theater
and
"really
believed
in us."
"Over
the past
year and
half,"
said
Pentecost,
"I have
had the
opportunity
to see
Cathy
Kreger
perform
on three
separate
occasions;
she is
truly
wonderful.
I have
heard
Marci
Geller's
and
Susan
DeVita's
work,
and so
many
people
have
told me
how much
they
enjoy
them.
Then …
the
three
united
for a
special
celebration
… That
performance
was so
great,
fun and
entertaining
that the
opportunity
to put
them in
the
festival
was an
immediate
thought."
In turn,
Geller
admires
the arts
council
for
staging
its
annual
series
of
concerts,
now in
its 44th
season:
"It's
fabulous
what
they
do," she
said,
they
book
"national
talent
while
supporting
local
artists
— and
it's
free."
So how
did
Lucky 13
start
life? It
happened
last
summer
when the
three
members
were
helping
to
promote
a CD of
that
name in
celebration
of the
13th
anniversary
of Sonic
Underground,
an
independent
operation
run by
Geller
and her
husband,
Gian
DiMauro.
While
harmonizing
in the
studio
of Radio
WVKR,
Poughkeepsie,
the
women
realized
their
"three
voices
were
completely
different"
but
there
was "a
rich
blend,
full of
intuition,"
said
Geller.
Since
then
Lucky 13
has been
performing
from
Maine to
Maryland
at
theaters
and what
Geller
calls
coffeehouses:
"Women's
groups
in
halls,
churches,
libraries
and
house
concerts."
According
to
DeVita,
fans
have
told
them
several
times
after
gigs
that "it
really
seems as
if
you're
having a
good
time,
with a
sense of
humor
and
respect."
"We're
still
gelling,
still
experimental,"
said
Kreger,
adding
that
their
sound
"is
based on
lush
harmonies."
The
nearest
comparison
she
could
make was
"a
female
version
of
Crosby,
Stills &
Nash."
Lucky 13
is
establishing
its
reputation
by
writing
its own
songs.
"We're
like a
ship
with
three
captains,
going in
whatever
direction,"
said
Geller
with a
smile.
She
described
her
songs as
being
"introspective";
Kreger's
"lean
around
life's
lessons";
and
DeVita's
reflect
her role
as a
"hopeless
romantic."
Kreger
explained
that
"technology
is the
biggest
helper"
to
promote
the
group.
"The
music
scene is
changing,
with the
artists
speaking
directly
to the
fans."
Geller
said
there is
a
"tremendous
amount
of
interest"
in the
group,
which is
"blasting
out
press
releases
to media
outlets"
while
keeping
its
growing
fan base
informed
by a
website,
www.lucky13.fm,
blogs,
Facebook
and
newsletters.
DeVita,
raised
on big
bands
and the
Beatles
in
Brooklyn,
came
near to
breaking
into the
big time
when she
was
signed
by RCA
Records
in the
1980s
under
the
highly
respected
Arif
Mardin,
who
produced
many
Aretha
Franklin
hits.
Geller's
resume
includes
working
in New
York's
famous
Brill
Building
to gain
experience
in the
music
business,
and then
performing
with
Mount
Sinai's
rock-guitar
hero
Ritchie
Blackmore
in his
Blackmore's
Night
contemporary
renaissance
music
incarnation.
Kreger,
with
four CDs
to her
credit,
was
influenced
by her
parents'
love of
folk
music,
before
progressing
through
bluegrass
to '70s
rock,
including
Bonnie
Raitt
and Eric
Clapton.
Lucky 13
has a
fierce
determination
to
succeed.
"We feel
like we
have
wings,"
said
Geller,
"there's
a
power."
Copyright
2009
Glenn Gamboa, 9/11/08
STILL
LUCKY. Stony Brook-based label Sonic Underground is celebrating its 13th
anniversary with a big show at the IMAC Theater in Huntington at 8 p.m.
Thursday. "Lucky 13" - a label compilation that has also become the name
of the touring group featuring singer-songwriters Marci Geller, Cathy
Kreger and Susan DeVita - features the kind of acoustic blues, jazzy pop
and folk ballads that the label has been releasing since 1995 when Geller
and her husband and label co-founder Gian DiMauro founded Sonic
Underground with the $748 they had left over from their honeymoon
Local
Live
9/16/08,
Kevin
Amorim
LUCKY
13. The
L.I.-based
Lucky 13
record
label is
celebrating
a
baker's
dozen
years of
putting
out
music
when
singer-songwriters
Marci
Geller,
Cathy
Kreger
and
Susan
DeVita
take
over
IMAC.
While
you're
there,
pick up
the
"Lucky
13"
compilation
album.
"Rounding
out the
evening
were
three of
Long
Island’s
premier
singers
and
writers,
who have
banded
together
as Lucky
13…Cathy
Kreger,
Marci
Geller,
and
Susan
DeVita.
As if
they
weren’t
good
enough
individually,
they
have
pooled
their
immense
talents
in a
synergistic
blend of
harmony.
-Hank
Stone,
Teaching
a Stone
to Talk
Blog
Several key music critics on both the East and West Coast have compared the
combined works to such timeless artists as Carole King, Laura Nyro, Janis
Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, and, Annie Lennox.
-Top 40 Charts.com (full article
HERE)
"There's no question that the real
music lovers, will love this."
- Times Square Gossip (full article
HERE)
Sharon Panaro, WVKR 91.3 FM with Cathy, Susan & Marci after their interview.
"I just received Lucky 13 and I love it." - WVKR FM
A welcome return to the tried and true song-cycle format.
Luscious music,
a message, and, a sensibility … make it all work. Very well too!”
- Mark Bego, Celebrity Biographer
The thing that strikes me most about this whole project is,
first, how much a labor of love it is, and second, how good it is.
-Winchester,
The Improper (full review
HERE)
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