Rosie Flores at Lee’s Liquor Lounge, Minneapols (14 August 2014)

Sweet Mama J

Opening up the show was Sweet Mama J, a local band who played outlaw country. They sing songs about murder, crime, and even UFO ("Flying Saucer Rock-N-Roll").

Highlight of their set the cover song "Angel From Montgomery", introduced as "Back in '78, I saw this woman cover this John Prine song… that woman was Bonnie Raitt!"

They ended their set with a cover of the Robins' "Riot in Cell Block #9."

Rosie Flores

Born in 1950 in San Antonio, Texas, Rosie Flores has experienced a lot in her lifetime. From punk music with her band Rosie and the Screamers to country music with Screamin' Sirens and joining Wanda Jackson on her mid-90s tour. However, based on the various covers on her set, her real passion seems to be rockabilly and a little honky tonk.

Rosie Flores was actually supposed to be in Minneapolis a few years ago, but due to "travel issues", as she puts it, the show was canceled. But she's glad to be back, and she'll talk directly to fans in the audience.

I got the impression that her all-time favorite artist and idol was Janis Martin (the female Elvis), who she claimed never got the recognition she deserved. She compared Martin to Wanda Jackson, saying how Jackson got a better marketing and record label.

Flores also got some real supporters, who will be flying down to Austin to see her play again next week, and by the third song, the dance floor was filled with some couples doo-wopping and swinging dancing.

By the time "If (I Could Be With You)" was played, they were joined on stage by Sweet Mama J's guitarist, and shortly afterward, Sweet Mama J herself.

Setlist

The unexpected song on the set was "God May Forgive You (But I Won't)", which her rhythm section was not prepared (or knew how) to play. This was a song by request, and after some debate, they dropped "Honky Tonk Moon" to play the request. Surprisingly, the bass and drum and extra guest guitarist followed the lead and the song sounded fine.

Possibly due to time issues, the band dropped "You Tear Me Up" from the set and, instead opted to cover Wanda Jackson's "Rock Your Baby".
Followed by The Paladins' "Hot-rod-rockin'", which Flores called "an early encore."

If you love rockabilly, 50s music, you definitely will want to check out Rosie Flores on this tour. You'll hear plenty of cover songs from that era, but between you and me, I actually prefer her original songs, particularly the title track from her Bloodshot Records album called "Working Girl's Guitar" and the title track from her Shout!'s Bandera Highway album. The latter is a song about her growing up in San Antonio, Texas. I've never been there, but through the painting of her song lyrics, I feel like I've experienced it.