Austin City Limits Season 23 Episode 3 Marcia Ball / Irma Thomas / Tracy Nelson

In season 23, episode 3 of Austin City Limits, three incredible blues and R&B musicians take the stage for a night of soulful performances. First up is Marcia Ball, a singer and pianist known for her rootsy, rollicking sound that blends blues, boogie-woogie, and country. Ball kicks off the show with a rousing rendition of "That's Enough of That Stuff," a bluesy tune about cutting ties with a lying lover. Throughout her set, Ball shows off her versatile vocal range, sliding effortlessly from throaty growls to sweet, soulful croons. She performs several of her own hits, including "Red Beans," a funky, foot-stomping tribute to the cuisine of her native Louisiana, and "La Ti Da," a humorous ode to the ups and downs of love. Ball also pays tribute to some of her favorite influential blues musicians, covering "Louisiana 1927" by Randy Newman and "I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues" by Duke Ellington.

Next up is Irma Thomas, a legendary singer known as the Soul Queen of New Orleans. Thomas has been making music since the 1960s and has a voice that can somehow be both powerful and delicate. She starts off her set with "I Won't Cry For You," a slow-burning, gospel-inflected ballad about letting go of toxic relationships. Thomas sings with a deep soulfulness that pulls every ounce of emotion from the lyrics. She moves on to "You Can Have My Husband," a sassy, upbeat tune about a woman who's ready to move on from her cheating man. Throughout her set, Thomas performs a mix of classic hits and new material, including "Two Winters Long," a haunting song about loneliness that showcases her ability to imbue even the darkest emotions with warmth and humanity. Thomas also performs several duets with Ball, including a lively rendition of "Time Is On My Side" made famous by the Rolling Stones.

Finally, the episode wraps up with a set from Tracy Nelson, a singer and songwriter who got her start in the 1960s with the group Mother Earth. Nelson has a rich, bluesy voice that hints at the many experiences that led her to music, including surviving a car crash that left her in a coma for weeks. Nelson's set is introspective and intimate, with heartfelt ballads like "Down So Low," a slow, simmering song about feeling lost and alone. She also performs a few bluesy covers, including a soulful take on "You'll Be Mine," a classic tune made famous by Willie Dixon. One of the highlights of the set is "Lead a Horse to Water," a haunting song about the weight of responsibility and the difficulty of helping people in need. Nelson's powerful voice lifts the song to new heights, allowing the listener to feel the weight of every word.

Overall, season 23, episode 3 of Austin City Limits is a soulful, bluesy night of music that showcases the incredible talents of these three women. They each bring their own unique sound to the stage, but all share a deep respect for the blues and R&B traditions that have influenced their music. The performances are raw, emotional, and authentic, making this episode a must-see for any music fan.