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News reports for "The Latest" written by website designer, Rob Oslan CD RELEASE SHOW POSTPONED 3/15/13 The CD release show, which was originally scheduled for May at World Cafe Live - The Queen, is being postponed. A new date with details will be posted as soon as information is made available. Apologies to anyone who had ordered tickets. NEW RECORDING AT THE HOME STRETCH 2/12/13 Lili was in the studio wrapping up vocal and guitar parts for her new amazing recording. Pictured below behind the glass. Now at the home stretch, the new recording is in the final stages with mixing and mastering to follow. Lili and her co-producer Dale Melton have been hard at work since last year creating beautiful sounds. There has been a cast of talented musicians from all over, including New York, coming into the studio and laying down their best parts. Lili's current band line-up: Mike Kurman, Charlie Patierno and Dale Melton have also contributed to the new recording. The new CD, will be available at the big CD release show taking place at World Cafe Live The Queen in Wilmington, DE. The songs are beautifully crafted and all I can say is "Oh My God, just wait until you hear it!" - Rob In the meantime you can catch some live performances before the May 4th CD rlease show. For all of the latest dates check the Upcoming Shows Section. PACKED HOUSE AT BURLAP AND BEAN! 2/3/13 Last night Lili teamed up with her good friend John Byrne and his band for a co-bill of musical magic at Burlap and Bean!    In spite of last night's snow, a huge crowd showed up and were treated to a great night of entertaining storytelling, captivating songs and some good humor. This was Liil's return to Burlap and Bean since 2008. The Newtown Square venue has grown into quite the listening room and last night the staff and house sound, provided by Kyle Swartzwelder, was nothing less than top notch! Lili and Mike Kurman wowed the audience with some favorites and one of the newer unreleased songs "Song For Joey." Lili had some special guests in the audience including: Bill Henley from NBC, musical artist John Faye and Pottstown radio host Mike Holliday. Lili also had fans from Bethlehem and newer fans from Bensalem. In addition, John Byrne had his followers. John is a fabulous performer and storyteller, complimenting Lili's onstage antics. What made this show a little more special was when Lili joined John for several of his spectacular original songs.    John Byrne is one of the first musicians Lili became friends with when she moved to Philadelphia in 2004. At the time John was the front man for Patrick's Head. A few years ago he made the break as a solo artist and has come into his own as an excellent songwriter and one of the most charismatic stage performers around. Lili and John have had a longstanding friendship and performed together on many occasions. So needless to say, Lili was thrilled when John accepted the offer be a special guest for her upcoming CD release show at World Cafe Live in Wilmington, DE. The show will take place in May and will no doubt be a show that you do not want to miss. In the meantime here is "Song For Joey" recorded last night. So if you were at the show you'll enjoy it again. If you couldn't make the show enjoy it here for the first time! For all of the latest dates check the Upcoming Shows Section. PERFORMING AT CASSANDRA WILSON'S YELLOW SCARF! 1/11 and 1/12/13 Lili and her band headed south to Jackson, MS as she was invited to do a 2-night engagement at Cassandra Wilson's "Yellow Scarf" January 11th and 12th. A ton of photos were taken and video was shot and will be forthcoming. The gig was incredible and then some!    In Lili's own words here is her account of what the experience was like: "I had the fortune and opportunity of being invited to perform at Cassandra Wilson's "Yellow Scarf" in Jackson, Mississippi. I've been anxiously looking forward to the gig. The Yellow Scarf is an amazing place. The minute I walked in I felt incredible energy. The space was beautiful, open and the acoustics incredible; this is even before soundcheck. A minute or so after arriving, in walked Cassandra Wilson. She was warm, charming and affectionate. She said to me "welcome, this is your house". No pretenses about her, down to earth and welcoming. I have been a fan of her music for some time. To say I was thrilled to be invited to perform (and for two nights) is an understatement. The Yellow Scarf's moniker is "The Yellow Scarf, a listening room where real musicians make real music in real time". I soon found out this was 100% true and very real. The band and I were treated excellently, provided everything necessary to our set up. Soundcheck went off without a hitch, and what "sound". We were treated like royalty. After our set that night, which was quite long, Cassandra asked if we'd play a little more after a short break as the audience was still hanging out there. I said "sure, only if you'll sing with me". I told her I had a song I'd written with a strong melody and chord structure (easy to follow), but it had no words. I asked her to improvise, something she does brilliantly. I called her up for the last song, the audience acknowledged and was quite happy. I began the song and Cassandra jumped right in, following as if "she'd known the tune all along. I refer to my songs as "easy"; I am often reminded by musicians I work with that my rhythm changes can be a little complex. Cassandra has not only a great voice but an excellent ear; she followed with ease. At the "vamp" at the end of the song we traded improvising. At one point she harmonized on a line I was singing. I felt in the state of grace; feeling a "high" like never before. We had a marvelous time. The band rose to the occasion, each receiving their own applause acknowledgement after solos and introduction. It was an exceptional two nights. Staff at The Yellow Scarf is like "family". I was greeted warmly, upon arrival at every turn, someone else would come forth with "Lili, welcome!" with arms outstretched, as if they'd known me their whole lives. The performance space was magical, partly because it was expertly handled, kept, presented and it made the "work" part of it seamless. Special thanks and mad love to my bandmates, Michael Kurman, Dale Melton and Charlie Patierno for your incredible musicianship and raising my music up. I am happy and grateful to have performed at The Yellow Scarf and I can't wait to go back!"    For Lili's next performance refer to the Upcoming Shows section.

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