#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

#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

#303 : Samantha Fish - Belle of the West

2017 – Ruf Records

Release Date : Nov. 03,  2017

By Phillip Smith; Nov 18, 2017

With Belle of the West, Samantha Fish continues to knock my socks off with her music.  Since 2011, this fierce guitar-slinging singer-songwriter from Kansas City has released five spectacular albums.  Belle of the West is the second one of 2017.  In March, Fish turned a lot of heads with the fabulous Chills and Fever album, which focused mainly on R&B deep cuts from the Sixties and Seventies.  Belle of the West, takes a more rootsy route, with Fish exploring the nooks and crannies of Americana.  Recorded at Zebra Ranch Studio in Independence, Mississippi, this album again reunites Fish with Luther Dickinson ( North Mississippi Allstars, South Memphis String Band) for his production expertise as well as guitar and mandolin prowess.  Also appearing on the album is Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers, South Memphis String Band) on Fender Rhodes piano and harmonica, Lightnin’ Malcom on guitar/harmonica , Amy LaVere on upright bass, Lillie Mae on violin, Tikyra Jackson and Trina Raimy on drums, and Sharde Thomas on fife and drums.

Powered by a big bowlful of moxie, Samantha ushers the listener into “American Dream”.  The violin accompaniment is the cherry on top of this swirly drum and fife driven masterpiece. “Blood in the Water” cleverly follows right behind, slowly accumulating a tense and unsettling vibe with its lulling rhythm.  Fish’s exquisite vocals highlight “Cowtown”, a riveting country-fried toast to escaping the clutches of small-town living.  Loaded with gobs of twangy guitar and a rocking piano backer, this sticks its landing as one of my favorites.  “Daughters” is an especially captivating song.  It is fabulously written and filled with emotion.  

Title-track, “Belle of the West”, penned by Jimbo Mathus has a strong Willie Nelson air about it and is a nostalgic call-back to the golden era of country music’s story-telling songs.  I adore Samantha’s cover of the RL Burnside classic “Poor Black Mattie” too.  It’s an absolute pleasure to hear Dickinson record the song again.  It was one of my favorite cuts off the Shake Hands With Shorty album he recorded with the North Mississippi Allstars seventeen years ago.

      

Samantha Fish has once again brilliantly defied those who would pigeonhole her as one particular type of artist.  The well from which her talents are drawn runs incredibly deep.  As far as I’m concerned, this record, “Belle of the West” is destined to be an instant classic.

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Links to other PhillyCheeze Reviews featuring Samantha Fish  

PhillyCheeze Album Review : Samantha Fish - Chills & Fever

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2017/04/samantha-fish-chills-fever.html

PhillyCheeze Concert Review and Photos : Samantha Fish - Live @ Campbell Steele Gallery : 3/18/16

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2016/03/samantha-fish-live-campbell-steele.html