Still a buzz in Memphis, Simien ready for next step

by Herman Fuselier, December 19, 2014, The Adverstiser 

Marcella Simien is living proof that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Simien is the daughter of zydeco’s only two-time Grammy winner, Lafayette resident and St. Landry Parish native Terrance Simien.

In 32 years, the elder Simien has toured more than 1 million miles while performing 7,000 shows in 42 countries. He’s shared the stage and studio with Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Robert Palmer, the Dave Matthews Band and many other music notables.

Marcella, a 2009 graduate of Comeaux High School and Memphis resident, is ready to follow in his footsteps. Her band, Marcella and Her Lovers, has released its debut EP, “The Bronze Age,” with Memphis producer Scott Bomar. Bomar, an Emmy-winning film composer and Grammy-nominated producer and recording engineer, has worked with Al Green, Cyndi Lauper and other well-known names.

“The Bronze Age” has four originals and a fiery cover of Billy Bland’s “My Heart’s On Fire,” a 1961 classic that also became a hit for local favorites Lil Bob and the Lollipops.

The EP is already drawing favorable reviews. J. D. Reager of the Memphis Flyer said “Simien herself is a tremendous singer and an engaging performer, which clearly comes across on the recording. Honestly, there really are no duds here, but two stand-out tracks would be the up-tempo groover “Branch Strewn Sky” and the spacey march “We Rewind.”

The review continues a Memphis buzz that started more than a year ago for Simien. The Memphis Commercial Appeal named her Best Newcomer of 2013. The I Love Memphis blog picked Simien as one of the “10 Bands to See in Memphis.”

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