Sat., Oct.15 in Anacortes
NATIONAL: You can find her vocals on dozens of gold LP's. That's Kathi McDonald singing on Joe Cocker Mad Dogs and Englishmen (1970), Freddy King Getting Ready (1971), Leon Russell Shelter People (1971), Delaney & Bonnie To Bonnie From Delaney (1971), and, the one everyone seems to know about, The Rolling Stones Exile On Main Street (1972). The list of impressive credentials never seems to end, because it hasn't. McDonald has remained on stage, touring and in the studio throughout her active career. Long John Baldry and she have toured Europe together numerous times, and she appears on many of his albums. (The proof reader cautions "Don't forget her work with Ike & Tina Turner, Big Brother & the Holding Company, Elton John, Nils Lofgren....")
LOCAL: Her long association with Seattle Women in Rhythm & Blues and blues singer Kate Hart would end up with Kathi performing in Detroit Women in Rhythm & Blues. McDonald has appeared onstage with Nick Vigarino (their acoustic duo performances at the "pre-martini bar" days of the Fairhaven were riveting) and appears with him on a number of recordings including 'Houndog' with Seattle guitarist Mark Riley. It is as pointless to try and name all the top notch local northwest musicians Kathi McDonald has performed or recorded with. The list equals her resume of vocal work with national acts. Her vocal tone, chops and talent have made her an in demand studio singer all her life.
ON HER OWN TERMS: It is as a front person that moves the floor boards with her dancing shoes, shapes the accompaniment with her percussive and expressive hands, then shatters the listener with that incomparable blues voice that Kathi McDonald wins over audiences wherever she
goes. Her two most recent solo albums Above and Beyond (1999) and Kathi McDonald (2004)can still be purchased easily on line. But the obscure prize is having a copy of her first solo LP, a rarity titled Insane Asylum (1974). You can see a small photo of the cover art to the right, just to put you vinyl collectors on the watch!
Blues singer Kathi McDonald & The Misfits appear in Anacortes, WA at the Rockfish Grill, Commercial on Saturday, June 25, 2005. Come out for some great music and catch the legendary blues singer who defies itemized description.
info. 360-588-1720
self-titled CD release.
