Known to blues lovers the around the world as "Evil Gal" and acknowledged b… Read Full Bio ↴Known to blues lovers the around the world as "Evil Gal" and acknowledged by aficionados of Jazz and Blues as a passionate and gifted performer, bandleader and songwriter, Michelle Willson has recorded and released 4 critically acclaimed albums for Rounder/ Bullseye Records.

Before signing with Rounder, Michelle's group won a prestigious W.C. Handy award for best unsigned blues act as a result of their win at the Blues Foundation's International Blues competition and Michelle was later nominated for a (best female blues vocal) Handy alongside Etta James and Koko Taylor.

Michelle's music is regularly played on blues radio and internet programs all around the globe and her original music has been featured in the HBO series "Mind of the Married Man", as well as on the 2008 House of Blues compilation album "Essential Women in the Blues."

Michelle's performances and recordings have received rave reviews from such respected sources as The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Downbeat, The Japan Times, GQ, Jazz Times and Living Blues, in addition to various other publications from many different countries.

For over 3 years, Michelle hosted 2 weekly programs, "Voices of Jazz" and "Jazz n' Blue" on one of the few remaining NPR music stations, WICN, in Worcester, MA.

Her current project: "Destination Moon - a tribute to Dinah Washington" recently debuted to a packed house at the Beehive in Boston and then sold out a repeat performance at Chan's in Woonsocket, RI.

Michelle's amazing voice, intense, engaging style, her vast knowledge of and passion for Jazz and Rhythm & Blues music combined with the rock solid support provided by her talented and tight backup band add up to a unique and unforgettable show!

THE BAND - USUAL SUSPECTS

ZAC CASHER - drums

Zac Casher’s ability to create personal and commanding grooves in a variety of styles makes him one of the most sought-after drummers in the New England area. Born in Boston, a Berklee College alumnus who has also taught at Berklee, his credits include performing and recording with Julien Kasper, Mighty Sam McClain (Telarc), Scott Shetler and Michelle Willson (Rounder), touring with Imani Coppala (Columbia Records), Ben Swift (Acoustic Arts Prod.) and Johnny Adams (Rounder) and performing with The Ken Clark Organ Trio (Severn Records). Zac produced, performed and recorded his own original rock project, Naked Wednesday (JZM Records).

SVEN LARSON - bass

Sven Larson is a Boston based acoustic bass and electric bass player who has been playing professionally since 1991. Born in Ohio, Sven came to Boston in 1995 and began studying with the late Steve Neil. Sven continued to learn, perform and record in many genres, while becoming a popular bassist on the local jazz and blues scene. He has also studied diff erent styles of music, including Hindustani Classical music and African Drumming. Sven has played on many bandstands across the US, Canada and Europe including Symphony Hall, Tanglewood Jazz Festival, and King Biscuit Festival to name just a few. He has performed with Toni Lynn Washington, Tom Hambridge, Charles Neville, Michelle Willson, Roses Pawn Shop, Nicole Nelson and others. He is a founding member and composer for both the Infi nite Ensemble and Little Bang.

MIKE MELE - guitar

Mike has been playing guitar professionally for over 25 years. He has played with many jazz and blues greats, including Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, Tony Monaco, Bill Pierce, Joe Hunt, Barry Ries, Marty Rowen, Melvin Sparks, Myanna and Rusty Scott. Mike is a member of the Ken Clark Organ Trio, with whom he recorded the albums “Eternal Funk” and “Mutual Respect” for Severn Records. As a long-standing member of Michelle Willson’s Evil Gal Festival Orchestra, Mike toured North America and Europe and played on the critically acclaimed album, “Wake-Up Call” for Rounder Records.

SHINICHI OTSU - keys

Shinichi Otsu has been a keyboardist and a musical director for Greg Piccolo ( saxophonist for Jimmy Vaughn and Roomful of Blues ) since 1999. He has worked for the Tony Award winning broadway musical "RENT" and "Talent Show" with Tommy Tune. He has also performed with Sam Butera's Wildest, Marty Allen, Jay Geils, Duke Robillard, Ronnie Earl and Sugar Ray Norcia. He has opened for Dr. John, Robert Cray, Al Martino, Roberta Flack, John Scofield and the Sun Ra Arkestra. http://www.infoshinichi.jugem.jp/

DONN SCOTT SHETLER - sax, clarinet, mandolin

Of reed man, arranger and composer, Donn Scott Shetler, Saxophone Journal’s Tim Price wrote: “This is the kind of guy who has paid his dues in triple. He deserves your ears and world class attention as a tenor saxophonist... a very satisfying anthology of a brilliant and versatile performer who straddles the fine line between blues and jazz to perfection.” Scott has played, written, arranged, recorded and produced music for decades. He played and did all the horn arrangements for Michelle Willson’s 4 albums for Rounder Records including “Wake Up Call “(Boston Music Awards best blues album 2002). He also co wrote and recorded “Three Aces Club”, with Harry “piano man” Van Walls for Michelle Willson’s album Evil Gal Blues, as well as Mighty Sam McClain’s Gospel anthem “Show Me The Way, which won the International Songwriting Competition (Gospel category) in 2009. In 2008, he recorded with Jon Bon Jovi for the Album “Give Us Your Poor”.

Cry Me A River
Michelle Willson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now you say you're lonely
You cried the whole night through
Well you can cry me a river, cry me a river
I cried a river over you

Now you say you're sorry
For being so untrue
Well you can cry me a river, cry me a river

I cried a river over you

You drove me, nearly drove me out of my head
While you never shed a tear
Remember, I remember all that you said
Told me love was too plebeian
Told me you were through with me

And now you say you love me
Well just to prove you do
Come on and cry me a river, cry me a river
I cried a river over you

Go on and cry me a river, cry me a river
I cried a river............over you

Overall Meaning

"Cry Me A River" by Michelle Willson is a beautiful song that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak or betrayal in a relationship. The song is about a woman who has been cheated on by her lover, with him claiming that he was sorry and begging for her to take him back. However, the woman has had enough of his lies and deceit, and tells him to "cry me a river." She then reveals that she has already cried a river over him and has moved on from the relationship.

The lyrics are emotionally charged and highlight the pain and frustration that come with a broken heart. The line "you drove me, nearly drove me out of my head while you never shed a tear" expresses the anger and resentment that builds up when someone we love hurts us so deeply. The chorus "cry me a river" is a powerful statement that shows strength and resilience in the face of heartbreak.

Overall, Michelle Willson's "Cry Me A River" is a powerful song that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever experienced the pain of heartbreak. It is a reminder that we are strong and resilient in the face of adversity and that we can overcome even the most painful of breakups.

Line by Line Meaning

Now you say you're lonely
You claim to be alone

You cried the whole night through
You shed all your tears in despair for too long

Well you can cry me a river, cry me a river
I don't care about your tears or pain

I cried a river over you
I have already suffered because of your actions

Now you say you're sorry
You apologize for your behavior

For being so untrue
For not being honest and faithful to me

You drove me, nearly drove me out of my head
Your actions almost made me lose my sanity

While you never shed a tear
You didn't care enough about me to cry

Remember, I remember all that you said
I recall every single hurtful word you ever spoke to me

Told me love was too plebeian
You claimed that our love was too ordinary and common

Told me you were through with me
You said you were done with me