#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

#518 : Tony Holiday's Porch Sessions - Volume 2

 

2021 – Blue Heart Records

By Phillip Smith; Sep. 18, 2021

 

I’m so excited to see Tony Holiday continue his Porch Sessions project.  I loved the first installment and was very happy when I learned there would be a follow up.  Recorded in various locations which include Memphis TN, Bristol VA, Fort Collins CO, Clarksdale MS, Anaheim CA, San Jose CA, and Jackson TN, it’s quite the pleasure to hear the results of Holiday’s ‘raw with no overdubs’ approach.  It’s very reminiscent of the early twentieth century Lomax field recordings which captured those early blues artists we came to know and adore.  Dedicated to Holiday’s friend and mentor the great James Harman who passed earlier this year, this sixteen-track collection features an all-star lineup of blues artists: Victor Wainwright, Willie Buck, A.J. Fullerton, Bobby Rush, Watermelon Slim, James Harman, Jon Lawton, Lurrie Bell, Richard “Rip Lee” Pryor, Johnny Burgin, Rae Gordon, Ben Rice, Mark Hummel & Dennis Gruenling, J/D. Taylor, Southern Avenue, Kim Wilson, Kid Ramos, and Kid Andersen.

Porch Sessions Volume 2 hits the ground swinging with Victor Wainwright pounding the keys and singing Jerry McCain’s “She’s Tuff”.  It’s great to hear Wainwright and Holiday jam together on piano and harmonica while bassist Terrance Greyson and drummer Andrew McNeil makes for a tight-as-hell rhythm section.  “Change is Inevitable” is a poignant and wonderfully delivered song, with A.J. Fullerton on vocals/guitar and Jake Friel on harmonica.  It’s always a pleasure to hear Watermelon Slim, and his cover of “Smokestack Lightning” is a delight.  He masterfully makes this a creation of his own.  “Going to Court 2”, with James Harmon on vocals, Kid Ramos and Landon Stone on guitars, and Tony Holiday on harp, is so good, it pretty much transports me right to the scene with every listen.  Jon Lawton (vocals/guitar) and Andrew Ali (harmonica) deliver an exquisite dose of stripped-down Delta Blues with Lawton’s original piece “Go”.  This one really makes me think of RL Burnside.  I dig the twangy groove Johnny Burgin pours on top of “Bad Bad Girl”.  Backed by Holiday on harp, Landon Stone on guitar and Kid Andersen on bass, this Burgin original is a lot of fun.  Rae Gordon’s voice is such a dynamic one and sounds so good as she belts out “Find Me When the Sun Goes Down”.  I’m also quite drawn to J.D. Taylor’s “Family Tree”.  When I hear him sing “I ain’t got nobody ‘round.  I ain’t got no family tree”, I hear the blues in its purest form.  When Southern Avenue performs their amazing stripped-down version of “Peace Will Come”, I can’t help but smile.  It’s such a good song.  I remember when they originally released it on their first album, just hearing it made things a little bit better with its positive message in a world of conflict.

Tony Holiday’s Porch Sessions Volume 2 is a very enjoyable listen.  I’m already looking forward to Volume 3. 

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  For more information about Tony Holiday, visit this website : https://tonyholidaymusic.com

Available on Bandcamp 

#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