Almanac Music: Susan Cowsill – The Flower Lady
One of the many delights of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival are the unexpected musical highlights you come across.
Often, to ensure you have a seat or a spot for an act or performer you wish see means sitting through other performances until your preferred act is onstage. Some of these acts are unknown or their blurb in the program does not appeal to you so usually they are avoided where possible but sometimes this is not possible.
At JazzFest 2019 I was keen to see The Deslones on the small stage under the grandstand where the seating is limited, and as many patrons quickly realised it is also one of the coolest places to listen to music in an otherwise rather hot and humid atmosphere elsewhere in the festival area. The Deslones were last to perform on the stage that day, others in the lead up included Chris Smither, Alvin Youngblood Hart, and Susan Cowsill.
I was keen to sit through Chris Smither and Alvin Youngblood Hart as I had seen them previously in the past and was a fan of both their music but I was uncertain about Susan Cowsill. I was aware she had been part of The Cowsills, a family band from the 60s early 70s who were very successful on the Top 40 charts with hits such as ‘The Rain, the Park, and Other Things’ ‘Hair’, and ‘Indian Giver’ to name a few. She was only a young girl during the band’s prime, probably there to promote the cute effect I thought. It was with some hesitation I thought I’d have to sit through some bubbly gum, psychedelic pop from that era. As always, when you least expect it, that unknown element blows away any preconceived notions you may have had and completely surprise you.
On stage, with a broad hat on her head made it impossible to see her face most of the time, Susan played up to family members in the audience as well as the crowd, she came across as a friendly, neighbourly person, inviting us to become part of her family and join in with her a love for music.
She quickly drew me in to her music comprising her own songs, songs of The Cowsills, and favourite songs of hers many tending to be from the 60s and 70s. As I remember she did a cracking version of The Youngbloods’ ‘Get Together’. Try as I did, but I could not find a clip of her performing that song. Here is a great version of her performing ‘Happy Together’.
The Cowsills, consisted of six siblings and their mother and scored many hits during their heyday between 1967 – 72. Their biggest hit was ‘The Rain, The Park, and Other Things’.
Check out a recent release by Susan Cowsill.
‘The Best of The Cowsills’
More from Col Ritchie can be read Here
Read more stories from Almanac Music HERE
If you would like to receive the Almanac Music and Poetry newsletter we will add you to the list. Please email us: [email protected]
To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au home page click HERE
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
One-off financial contribution – CLICK HERE
Regular financial contribution (monthly EFT) – CLICK HERE
About Colin Ritchie
Retired teacher who enjoys following the Bombers, listening to music especially Bob Dylan, reading, and swimming.
Nice one Col. “The Rain, the Park” has always been a guilty fave. From when I had to hide all my sappy pop pleasures from my acid head friends. Prog rock was a dark time in music. Cheers.