Muscle Shoals Meets the 70s rewind

Part 12: Fiddleworms-infused kozmic collab

First things first: North Alabama's own, Carla Russell, is known for delivering heartfelt powerhouse performances time and time again. You can count on it, friends – Carla never disappoints. For 30 years and counting, it’s just a given — it’s always a kozmic experience when Carla commands a stage.

It seems silly to admit but when Carla took the historic Shoals Theatre stage a few weeks back, I was struck by how she really does embody the original legendary kozmic mama herself – Janis Joplin — in so many ways. I know, I know – of course she does but I had just never thought about it before, ya know? She has an ease about her and an uninhibited vibe to her stage presence that seems very Janis-like.

Carla’s energy surrounding her rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” during night one, set one of Muscle Shoals Meets the 70s was truly an anthem for the ages. I know it’s difficult to imagine but supported by the world-famous Fiddleworms, Shoals Sisters, Polyester Horns, and Shoals Strings, Carla’s performance was even more outstanding than usual. Carla’s storytelling is always personal and full of passion, too, but that night, it felt as if Carla was speaking directly to me.

I feel as if there’s always a shock value to how Carla uses her astounding voice – and I mean that in the best way possible. (Everybody could use a little kozmic Carla shock to their system.) Her range and power are perpetually surprising to me; I’m forever in awe of her pipes, baby. I just love her so much in every single way but one of my most favorite things about Carla is how she makes being a next level songbird look so easy. So impressive.

When Carla sang, “Go on and go, walk out the door. Turn around now. You're not welcome anymore,” trust me, we were all ready to send somebody packing. I had a sort of epiphany, too, when Carla told me, “I've got my life to live and all my love to give and I will survive.” I wrote this in my trusty notebook: This room is filled with survivors. Shoals music represents survival, friends.

I’ll tell you this, if I had Carla singing “I Will Survive” in my ears boosting my confidence all the livelong day, I’d be unstoppable for sure. Make it so, universe.

More to come … stay tuned.

Dig Worms, friends.

Photo credit: Angel DeAnn Pilati