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Rock/Blues Singer Songwriter Shari Puorto
The passoniate performances
of Shari Puorto are reflected in the band's music.
Her long hair with the slight
curl leads down to a figure with more curves than Pacific Coast Highway.
The band's stirring rendition of Ike & Tina Turner's Proud Mary.
See her in a bar and men are immediately tempted to order
two drinks – one for themselves, the other for her. Then
she gets on stage and an entirely different kind of attraction emerges.
For Shari Puorto can sing.
A soulful singer with a sexy and raspy sound, she immediately
brings Janis Joplin to mind. Like Joplin, Puorto is a passionate performer
with an energy that can rattle the foam in a pint of Pilsner. Unlike
Joplin, however, Puorto's looks match the voice, making for an especially
entertaining experience at the mostly intimate venues where she performs.
From San Diego to San Francisco, Puorto rocks bars and
clubs up and down the California Coast. Shari Puorto and the Rhythm
Addicts – more on them later – have played places such as
the Coach House and Galaxy Theater in
Orange County, Martini Ranch in Huntington
Beach, the top blues club Blue Cafe in Long
Beach, the Deer Lodge in Ojai, San
Francisco's Biscuit & Blues, at the Ski
Resort of Mammoth Mountain and have been regulars at
the legendary Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa
Beach. Mixing creative original tunes with a few select
covers – when she sings "Me and Bobby McGee" it's easy
to start daydreaming about hitchhiking across the country with her while
wearing faded blue jeans and a red bandana – the band brings
down the houses.
While the songs' style leans toward the blues, the music
has a bit more of an upbeat tempo, giving it a comfortable yet unique
personality. This is what Puorto describes as "rock/blues. It's
blues with an element of a rock beat. Blues is based on a certain pattern
but my music incorporates more of a rock feel and beat."
Credit goes to Puorto's early influences: Pat Benatar,
The Pretenders, Led Zepplin, AC/DC, The Doors, ZZ Top, the Black Crows,
Susan Tedeschi, Aretha Franklin and Eva Cassidy. Even the Southern rock
of Lynyrd Skynard and The Doobie Brothers played a part in her musical
development. And, naturally, Joplin, for whom she has a remarkably similar
sound and to whom she is most often compared.
"Janis is DEFINITELY an influence," Puorto
said. "Mostly it's because of how her singing makes you feel –
you could feel the depths of her soul when she sang. I definitely associate
with that feeling. The raspy thing, well, I don't have control of it.
It has control over me!"
 The
band has a CD – "Why is the Grass Always Greener" – and
another is on the way. The original songs on the CD are a reflection
of how Puorto enjoys expressing herself through her music.
"Typically, I write about an experience or a feeling,"
she said. "Blues music is generally based on feelings, daily lives,
and in the old days something as simple as daily chores. It really tells
you their stories."
For example, "my newest single release,'Free'
is about breaking free and standing on your own two feet and having
confidence in yourself. When 'Free' was originated, I was having difficulties
in a relationship and that was my inspiration.
"'Why is the Grass Always Greener?' is the
title of the latest CD and this original song is about being in a relationship
and wondering if it's better to break up or stay together. We've all
been there, several times, right, thinking the grass may be greener?
It almost never is, by the way.
"Another original song 'Good Evil Girl' (also
on the current CD) is about how women truly have power, whether they
know it or not. Is it good or evil? Another original tune, 'I Thought
I Knew (You Were The One)' is about all the times you thought you
met the 'right' person. Coming soon is a new tune called 'Treat Me
Mean.' Like the title might suggest, it's about how some girls don't
like the nice guys. Don't bring me the flowers, don't call me, but treat
me mean and I'll like you. It's not how I necessarily see myself, but
there are girls who are that way."
And while it's easy to get caught up in Puorto's lyrics
as well as her looks, it doesn't take much listening to the live performances
for the rest of the Rhythm Addicts to make its presence known. The dynamic
lead guitar of Michael Iba causes that "whoa" effect.
The Rhythmaddicts
share Shari's soul with their rock/blues originals.
Steady on the bass is David Abercrombie. Drummer
Louie Brossard, Jr., has a long list of accomplishments, including
recording with three-time Grammy Award winner Randy Miller and with
bands ranging from Willie Nelson and George Jones to Jon Bon Jovi and
Cheap Trick.
Puorto's band was formed in 2003 and has since won much
critical acclaim. Puorto was Female Vocalist of the Year in 2004 at
the South Bay (CA) Music Awards and was nominated for Best Female Vocalist
& Best Live Performance in 2005. She was also nominated for Best Female
Vocalist and Best Blues Band at the Orange County Music Awards in 2006
with another band for whom she performs as the lead singer, Blues
Bettie.
While based in Southern California, Shari Puorto and the
Rhythm Addicts have played in other parts of the U.S., and is planning
a European tour in 2007.
Shari Puorto and the Rhythmaddicts CD can be purchased
thru their website, .BluesRockMusic.com,
on Amazon.com,
TowerRecords.com,
CDBaby.com
and other online retail sites. Individual songs are available on
iTunes and other download sites.
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