Muscle Shoals Meets the 70s rewind

Part 7: Kisses for everyone

This. So very this.

Carla Russell's rendition of Heart's "Barracuda" during Muscle Shoals Meets the 70s night two, set one was the be all and end all. Truth is, I was lousy with anticipation leading up to this Carla 2.0 moment. The experience didn't disappoint, friends ... quite the opposite actually, it was heart-stopping in the best sort of way.

It was such a blessing to have Carla on the MSM the 70s bill both nights and not only that but to have her gift us with two different songs. Night one's "I Will Survive" was a crowd-pleaser but night two's "Barracuda" slayed the house down, y'all. It had me down on my knees.

When the Fiddleworms launched into the iconic “Barracuda” opening riff, there was no going back. "Barracuda's" cadence is very much like a rock n’ roll freight train — get on board or get out of the way, friends. It’s a heavy, steamroller of a song. With Michael Dillon Curington on drums, Scott Campbell on bass, Mitch Mann and Scott Todd working double time on the guitars, and Cissy Guin with her tireless percussive support — those world-famous worms kept the train barreling down the tracks. Then there was beautiful dreamboat Carla standing before us … microphone in hand warning all the little queens about the ugly side of life.

It’s an undeniable truth, y’all, Carla sings from her soul. She is uninhibited and confidently leans into her natural vocal power. Very much like Carla, the Shoals Sisters — Marie Lewey and Cinda Walker — sing their souls with that same brand of authentic internal strength. It was truly an earth-shattering moment to behold when Carla, Marie, and Cindy were united in their “Barracuda” power and literally unleashed it into the world. Stunning. The world will never be the same — consider yourselves warned, barracudas.

Listen, I've never known a world without Heart. Hallelujah to that fact. I entered this world and shortly thereafter, 1970s Heart set about doing the good work of giving me a strong foundation. Then, 1980s Heart straightened my backbone and raised me right. In all of my 54 years on this planet, the Wilson sisters have never let me down or steered me wrong. I can't imagine me without Heart. Best believe, life would've surely been a nightmare had I not been warned as a child about the barracuda.

Thank you, MSM the 70s, for this timely reminder to watch out for the whisper game.

Stay tuned ... more to come.

Dig Worms.

Photo credit: Devona Hawkins