‘Bayou Baby’, the latest single from Serabee, has a fabulous groove that makes you want to move, dictated by strong percussion and pulsing bass. Layers of fluid keys and woozy pedal steel fill out the sound, over which Serabee delivers a truly powerful vocal performance. Her voice is soulful, emotional and, as the song builds and sweeps us along, Serabee adds some grit and really lets go, her voice reminiscent of the likes of Bonnie
Raitt. A host of talented players recorded with Serabee and the video gives us a glimpse of how well they work together on stage and in the studio, alongside artfully-shot images of Serabee outside, performing in the shimmering sunshine.
This is an autobiographical song, taking a look into Serabee’s past, present and future, with lyrics that follow, and draw you into, her family’s narrative. She says of ‘Bayou Baby’: “A song idea that was written about me: a girl raised in the churches, juke joints, and tent revivals on the bayous of Louisiana and banks of the Mississippi by a Pentecostal preacher, guitar-playing father, and folk songwriter mother. A true hybrid of both father from Buras, Louisiana, and a Mother from Laurel, Mississippi. When you meet someone who takes you to church without a Bible – whether you are an unbeliever, a sinner, or a saint – it might spiritually challenge your faith in love. Still, it’s always magical and a little Dusty Springfield fairy dust goes a long way.”
The single is taken from the brand new record, ‘Hummingbird Tea’, which is released today – 14th October 2022. Recording as Serabee (which is short for her real name, Sera Buras), the Mississippi-based singer-songwriter has spent the last couple of years writing new songs and putting together the record. She has worked with many well-known performers and acclaimed musicians over the years, and recorded for different labels, but this new album represents a fresh start for Serabee. The album title came from the nurse who supported Serabee’s mother during a serious illness who talked about drinking sweet Hummingbird Tea (aka Southern Iced Tea). Thoughts of her mother and her new direction as an artist coincided with the idea of the hummingbird on its long, exhausting migratory journey, which has the promise of sweet nectar and beautiful flowers at its end. It’s a message of hope. Hold onto that positivity while checking this out – it’s a soulful blast that showcases Serabee’s excellent vocal.
