Singing the Blues

The individual accomplishments of Gaye Adegbalola, Andra Faye and Ann Rabson fill quite a few pages. But among all their awards for songwriting, playing and even teaching, the three musicians are best known for comprising one of the most soulful and beloved acoustic blues acts in the world, Saffire —...

By Jason Heller

August 20, 2009

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The individual accomplishments of Gaye Adegbalola, Andra Faye and Ann Rabson fill quite a few pages. But among all their awards for songwriting, playing and even teaching, the three musicians are best known for comprising one of the most soulful and beloved acoustic blues acts in the world, Saffire — The Uppity Blues Women. For the past 25 years, Saffire has brought a homespun and humbly virtuosic vibe to traditional blues and folk music, resulting in a body of work that preaches, pleads, confronts and comforts all at the same time — never forgetting that warmth and humor will make just about any message go down easier. The group’s most recent recording, the spirited Havin’ the Last Word, was released in January, and its title is sadly apt: Tonight’s 8 p.m. Swallow Hill concert is a stop on Saffire’s farewell tour, which will conclude with one final show on November 11 in the trio’s home base of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This will certainly be the last time Colorado will be graced with the group’s presence — unless Adegbalola, Faye and Rabson can be coaxed out of retirement before they get a chance to let the guitar strings cool (hint, hint). Swallow Hill is at 71 East Yale Avenue; for ticket and other information, call 303-777-1003 or visit www.swallowhillmusic.org.
Sat., Aug. 22, 8 p.m., 2009

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