Redbone's official website

Pop Music 85, december 1971

If James Brown was received at the White House, in appreciation of his racial reconciliation action, I expect that the red carpet will be laid down for the first Indian group (!): Redbone. Better than all speeches from Jane Fonda and other defenders, the music ofRedbone is struggling peacefully against some segregation. And I have the feeling that their time at the Olympia will make more noise than the famous Alcatraz occupation!
Their Eastern conquest is made possible by the huge success of their last 45 hit: Witch Queen Of New Orleans. I think the French public will give them a pleasant surprise. Indeed, their two first 33, double Redbone, and Potlatch, had already received an enthusiastic welcome. It seems that their music suited perfectly to the French ear. As our ancestors had their Indian animal skins, perhaps this interest should be attributed to cajunes influences that have an important place in the music of Redbone. Cajun is a dialect of French Louisiana. Redbone is a Cajun word that means mixed blood, that is to say a child of interracial marriage. Moreover, the lyrics tell stories and legends of this region. The now famous Witch Queen Of New Orleans really existed. Her name was Marie Leviau, and her grave is always guarded to preserve potential avengers or hysterical Snatchers. If you have sharp ears, maybe you can find traces of a curious French patois in Niki Hokey.

Yet Redboneis not from New Orléans. These are North Indians. But they are college friends from the region that made them love this music and its history. Redbone was formed three years ago. The band consists of two brothers Pat and Lolly Vegas, guitar and bass; Pete dePoe, drummer; and Tony Bellamy, guitarist. Pat, Lolly and Tony were integrated into American life. But Pete dePoe, whose real name, is Last Walking Bear, is a Cheyenne, who spent his childhood in a reservation in the state of Washington.

Pat and Lolly were, what we call in France, sharks, that is to say studio musicians in Los Angeles. They participated in the creation of almost all of Sonny & Cher albums (remember that Cher is also a redbone), and Chris Montez. Pat was bassist with the Everly Brothers. Finally, they have written many successes for various artists, including Niki Hokey, which earned a gold record for P. J. Proby. They even released a record in 1966, at Mercury, produced and performed by Leon Russell. Tony's parents own a restaurant near Los Angeles, and this is where the Vegas brothers heard him play. Thus was born Redbone. Shortly after they met Pete dePoe who was especially delighted to find kinsmen musicians.

But Redbone is not just a group of Redskins, it's primarily a group with a fabulous sound. They certainly had a common taste and atavism, but to find their own sound, they rehearsed for a year in the californian mountains. The result is surprising, if not mesmerizing. Not to mention the famous and sinister Chant: 13th Hour, chant that would have turned the blood of more than a rough pioneer, Redbone has a very special color (no pun intended). This singularity is due to the use of a leslie, by the guitarist. Leslie is a device that gives a turning sound to the organ. On the other hand, Tony Bellamy uses and abuses with great art of the wah-wah pedal; the playing of the bassist seems to be a reflection of the structure of the piece. Last but not least: the drummer is unique! And for good reason: he plays what comes into his head without regard (perhaps ignorantly) of the basic foundations of the drums, which does not mean
he plays anything. On the contrary! It sticks more to the song and especially
during the sung passages. More than just rhythm, the drums is melodic at the same level as the other instruments.

The voices are of equal importance. It is especially Tony and Pat singing, usually with falsetto. In addition, they are passionate about technical research. For their next album (which will include a more developed version of Witch Oueen ...) they recorded 5 titles in Los Angeles studios and 6 others in San Francisco, studios with different sound systems. They are even considering recording a day in a bathroom because the acoustics are often excellent.
So... If their plumage is equal to their warbling, the Olympia should experience a historic moment! A tip yet: that day, let your stripes and southerners caps to the locker room, the joke would be of doubtful effect.

Catherine CLAUDE