#649 : Emma Wilson - Memphis Calling (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2023 – Emma Wilson Music

By Phillip Smith; Dec. 9, 2023

Release Date : Oct. 27, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

Memphis Calling, the new album from British blues singer Emma Wilson, puts a smile on my face with every listen.  Wilson, who was awarded Emerging Blues Artist of the Year at the UK Blues Awards in 2022 for her debut album Wish Her Well, captures the pure essence of the Memphis sound.  Recorded at Sam Phillips Recording Studio, using the original STAX recording console, and a bullpen of Memphis musicians, this record is nothing less than extraordinary with Wilson’s soulful, buttery vocals pouring freely over every note.  Backing Wilson on this release is Charlie Hodges ( Hi Rhythm Section) on Hammond organ, Archie “Hubbie” Turner (Hi Rhythm Section)  on electric piano, Wurlitzer, and acoustic piano, Joe Restivo (The Bo Keys) on guitar, Leroy Hodges (Hi Rhythm Section) on bass guitar, Steve Potts (Booker T & the MGs, Gregg Allman Band) on drums, Kirk Smothers (The Bo Keys, Cyndi Lauper) on tenor and baritone sax, Marc Franklin (The Bo Keys, Cyndi Lauper) on trumpet, and Scott Bomar on tambourine.

Wilson jump-starts the record with the energy of Aretha Franklin in a fantastic original called “Small World”.  Guided by a funky rhythm, and topped with the sweet sound of horns, the track is deliciously soulful.  Her cover of the Steve Cropper and Eddie Floyd-penned “Water” recorded by Albert King taps right into my heart and soul.  Don Bryant appears as guest vocalist on “What Kind of Love”.  The inescapable groove pulls me right in.  “Drug” another Wilson-penned original has an Amy Winehouse vibe, and I dig it a lot.  With a slight twist, the Muddy Waters 1954 hit “Hoochi Coochie Man” becomes the alluring “Hoochie Coochie Mama”.  Restivo’s guitar performance is on point, and sounds wonderful sidled up with Wilson’s sultry vocals.  All the stops are pulled when she closes the record with a stellar performance of Buddy Johnson’s “Since I Fell For You”.  It’s an absolutely beautiful song.   

Emma Wilson’s Memphis Calling is a spectacular recording.  It is going to land as one of my top favorites of the year. 

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For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://www.emmawilson.net/

#395 : Big Daddy Wilson - Deep in My Soul

2019 – Ruf Records

By Phillip Smith; June 11, 2019

Deep in My Soul, the latest album from the Big Daddy Wilson, is a magnificent platter of soulful blues.  This North Carolina born bluesman who now calls Northern Germany his home, trekked back to the U.S. to begin working with Grammy-winning producer Jim Gaines.  Recording began at Gaines’ Bessie Blue Studio in Stantonville, Tennessee, and wrapped up at the legendary FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.  With Laura Chavez onboard playing guitar, Wilson’s killer rhythm section is comprised of Memphians Dave Smith on bass, and Steve Potts on drums.

With a soulful Memphis Stax vibe, the album begins with “I Know”.  Chavez immerses herself into Steve Cropper-mode and the rest of the band follows suit.  With additional accompaniment from Brad Guin and Ken Waters, aka The Alabama Horns, the stage is perfectly set for Wilson’s deep, engaging vocals.  “Tripping On You” is another terrific track saturated in the funky, soulful sound of Stax.  It is purely delightful.  The inescapable hook of “Ain’t Got No Money” keeps me on the line while I gush over the slide guitar.  I absolutely love the funky riffs, soul-wrenching vocals, and an infectious groove on title track “Deep in My Soul”.  Ominous and seductive, “Voodoo” is one cool-as-hell blues-soaked track.  It’s as if it were pulled right out of a Mississippi swamp.

This album from Big Daddy Wilson scores high on all levels, and I highly recommend it.        

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

John McNamara - Rollin’ With It

2017 – Bahool Records  

By Phillip Smith; June 10, 2017

Recorded at Memphis’s legendary Ardent Studios, Rollin’ With It, the latest album from Australian singer/songwriter, John McNamara is chockful of smooth Memphis soul.  Boasting a killer lineup of Stax musicians featuring drummer Steve Potts (Booker T & the MGs),  guitarist Michael Toles (Bobby Bland, The Bar-Kays), pianist/organist Lester Snell (Albert King, Isaac Hayes), who also arranged the album, and bassist James “Jimi” Kinard(Isaac Hayes, B.B. Kings All Stars), the album is a bodacious musical delight.       McNamara, who grabbed a semi-finalist slot in the 2015 International Blues Challenge, lays his fabulous voice and bluesy guitar licks down in six original songs and four wonderful covers.

From the moment, “One of a Kind” immersed from the speakers, loaded with searing electric guitar, rich keys from Snell, and the sweet sound of horns, I knew this album would be a favorite.  McNamara suavely croons as the spoon-fed rhythm of “Under the Weight of the Moon” uncannily drills itself into my subconscious. That’s absolutely fine with me though.

McNamara beautifully takes on Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Ask Me Nothing (But about the Blues)”.  Drizzled with buttery vocals and wonderful blasts of horns, this one is sung from the heart.  His recording of Otis Redding’s “Security” is second to none and positively fabulous.     

As a huge fan of Stax Records and all the terrific music which flowed out its doors in the Sixties and Seventies, I have to say, Rollin’ With It ranks as my favorite Stax album not officially on the Stax label.  It’s just that good.

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Gregg Allman live at Riverside Casino 3/28/15

Riverside, Iowa

By Phillip Smith; Mar 29, 2015

Walking on stage to a standing ovation from a sold out crowd is something only a few people get to experience.  Gregg Allman is one of them.   Allman, along with the rest of his nine man ensemble took the stage at Riverside Casino in Riverside, Iowa.  With Allman on the B3 and Scott Sharrard on guitar, front and center, the band tore into a ripping rendition of “Stateboro Blues”.  The audience was happy, and so was I.  Without missing a beat, they then slid right into a sweet sounding “I’m No Angel” followed up with the mellow grooves of “Come and Go Blues”.  Dipping into his Playin’ Up a Storm album for a two-fer, Allman performs a refreshingly “Brightest Smile in Town”.  The intro was beautifully played, and Allman’s vocals were soulful.  The sax solo was a standout as well. I absolutely loved hearing the crowd pleasing Muddy Waters classic, “Trouble No More”. Initiated with a fantastic drum intro, this one was played tight as hell. This is where it sets in, just how cohesive this band is.  It’s so enjoyable to hear Sharrard tear it up on guitar. For “Melissa”, Allman switched over from the B3, to acoustic guitar. This song hit the spot, and drew people to their feet. 

The second set was quite strong too.  Allman picks up his electric guitar for an exquisite “Ain’t Wasting Time No More”. It sounded so good.  Returning to acoustic guitar, Allman and the band got a little help from the crowd singing “Midnight Rider”.  This song culminates with a really interesting trumpet performance from Marc Franklin and a standing ovation.  The fast and furious “Love Like Kerosene” was phenomenally played. Ron Johnson was dishing out some awe-inspiring groove on the bass while we got yet another smoking performance from Sharrard.  After the first few notes of “Whippin’ Post” were played, it was apparent the audience would not be able to sit still.  Greg remained on electric, while Peter Leven took over the B3.  Groovy beats from Steve Potts and Marc Quinones and blasts from the brass make this an interestingly funky treat.  This was one everyone had undoubtedly been waiting for, as it drew a huge standing ovation.  With that closing out the last set, the band returned once more with Allman back at the B3 for a riveting extended version of “Southbound”.  Needless to say, the show was outstanding.

SetList

Statesboro Blues

I’m No Angel

Come and Go Blues

Brightest Smile In Town

Trouble No More

The Same Thing

Melissa

-Instrumental Break-

Cradle of Civilization

Hot Lanta

Ain’t Wasting Time No More

Midnight Rider

Love Like Kerosene

Whipping Post

Encore

Southbound