#741- > Southern Avenue - Family (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2025 – Alligator Records
Release Date : April 25, 2025
 
By Phillip Smith; April 19, 2025
 
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

I’ve been a fan of Memphis’ Southern Avenue since 2017 when their first album landed on the revitalized Stax Records. Their live shows are always exhilarating and their studio albums have always been impressive. It’s no wonder they have been nominated three times for the Blues Music Awards Band of the Year. With Family their fourth and latest album, the band has landed with Alligator Records. Recorded at the legendary Royal Studios (Al Green, Ann Peebles, Willie Mitchell), the new fourteen-track record strongly reflects their Memphis roots. Lead singer Tierinii Jackson, guitarist Ori Naftaly, drummer/vocalist Tikyra Jackson, and percussionist/violinist/vocalist Ava Jackson note as Southern Avenue  “These songs chronicle our evolution—not just as a band, but as a family.”. This recording also features Jeremy Powell on keys, Blake Rhea on bass, and special guest Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars) on bass for four tracks.

I love the harmonies, infectious groove and positive energy which flows through “Upside”. This one always gets turned up a little louder. Naftaly’s guitar performance sure shines, as he lets loose on this wonderful track. I dig the Isaac Hayes-inspired rhythm imbedded in “Found a Friend in You”. Tierinii’s voice rings soulful and heavenly. I adore the swampy, blues-soaked slide guitar and jukin’ rhythm which holds the fort down on “Late Night Get Down”. This is another fabulous track which begs to be heard at a higher volume. One of my favorite places to hear music in Memphis is at Rum Boogie Café. I went there many a time in the Eighties and early Nineties when I lived in N.E. Arkansas. That being said, “Rum Boogie” is another track which quicky drew my attention. Topped with thick slide guitar and party atmosphere, it perfectly sets the scene. Even though “Believe” is only forty-eight seconds long, it is a beautiful and captivating mantra. Tikyra’s boldly-cast “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” beat on the intro instantly draws me in to the final track “We Are”. This definition of family holds strong and makes for a glory-filled closer.

 Family delivers soulful, bluesy goodness with every song, making this Southern Avenue’s best record yet.   

 

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Photo by Rory Doyle

Photo by Rory Doyle

For other PhillyCheeze reviews and photos of Southern Avenue, visit https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=southern+avenue

For more information about Southern Avenue, visit their website https://www.southernavenuemusic.com

#446 : Tony Holiday - Soul Service

2020 – Vizztone  

By Phillip Smith; May 23, 2020

Striking while the iron is still hot from his acclaimed Porch Sessions album released last summer, Memphis musician Tony Holiday has forged a new killer record called Soul Service.  Produced by Ori Naftaly of Southern Avenue, and recorded at the famed Zebra Ranch studio in North Mississippi, Soul Service has a sort of Memphis-meets-Bakersfield sound.  Behind the microphone and with harp in hand, Holiday is joined by Landon Stone on guitar, Max Kaplan on bass, and Danny Banks (John Nemeth band) on drums.  Special guests include Victor Wainwright on keys, and Naftaly on guitar. 

The funky guitar riff on “Paying Rent on a Broken Home” quickly sinks its hooks into me.  Along with Holiday’s smokin’ harp, it makes for a whopping serving of soulful blues.   “Good Advice” is fabulously nostalgic, as it reflects of a time when the division between country and rock were more blurred.  Holiday absolutely swings with “Checkers on the Chessboard”.  He plays this brilliantly.  I love the dreamy melody on the slow-cooked break-up song, “It’s Gonna Take Some Time”.  Wainwright’s accompaniment sounds so good.  Holiday’s performance on “The Hustle” is attention-grabbing, with his dynamic lyrical cadence and infectious groove.   

Holiday’s blend of blues, country, rock and soul is seamlessly stitched into this absolute gem of a record.  Soul Service is definitely recommended. 

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For more information about the artist, visit this website..  https://tonyholidaymusic.com/

#307 : Southern Avenue live at CSPS

Dec. 9, 2017

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

By Phillip Smith; Dec. 10, 2017

From Memphis, Tennessee, Southern Avenue is one of the newest bands to record for the iconic Stax Records label.  Saturday, December 9^th, this magnificent quintet brought their illustrious brand of soul to a packed house at CSPS in Cedar Rapids amid their seemingly non-stop tour to promote their remarkable self-titled record.  Fronted by powerhouse lead singer Tierinii Jackson, the band also consists of her sister Tikyra Jackson on drums, guitarist Ori Naftaly, bassist Gage Markey, and keyboardist extraordinaire Jeremy Powell. 

Southern Avenue served up two delicious sets of music, covering mostly songs off their new album.  The soulful sweet vocals Tierinii delivers on “What Did I Do” was so right-on.  Her vocals on “It’s Gonna Be Alright” were angelic, and the keyboard performance from Powell was captivating.  I was so happy to hear them perform “Don’t Give Up”.  That’s such a terrific song.  It’s what drew me to the band in the first place this past spring.   

Their fabulous and funky take on the Beatles’ “Come Together” caught me entirely by surprise.  Naftaly’s guitar was smokin’.  It was a special treat to hear their covers of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”, and Bill Withers’ “Use Me” too  They were both soul-dripping performances. I loved every bit of it. 

Southern Avenue ranks right up there among my favorite new bands this year, and I sure hope to see them again soon.

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* All Photos by Phillip Smith