Wild Bill’s is the quintessential Memphis juke, a North Memphis neighborhood institution. The red walls are covered with old photos and clippings, beer is served in 40-ounce bottles, and the Hollywood All-Stars provide just the right mood with a mix of blues and soul. The room-length tables guarantee you’ll meet new friends, and things don’t get started here until they’ve just about ended everywhere else (the band plays from 10 PM-3 AM). If you’re seeking an authentic Memphis experience, bypass Beale Street and come to Wild Bill’s.
soul
Memphian Andrew Booker makes his debut on the Southern Soul scene with his new EP “I Miss My Mom N Dad”, featuring eight first-rate shots of soul and blues. From the opening “Bingo Lover”, where he complains that his woman loves bingo more than him, to the title track which will move anyone who has lost their parents, “I Miss My Mom and Dad” walks the line between blues and soul. There are traditional blues like “I’m About to Get Old” and “Don’t Tell Me”, and uptempo romps like “20 Hard Days” and “Policeman Coming ‘n You Going to Jail.” While there’s little here that would be unexpected, this is a well-done debut from a new voice in Memphis blues and soul.
Memphian Andrew Booker makes his debut on the Southern Soul scene with his new EP “I Miss My Mom N Dad”, featuring eight first-rate shots of soul and blues. From the opening “Bingo Lover”, where he complains that his woman loves bingo more than him, to the title track which will move anyone who has lost their parents, “I Miss My Mom and Dad” walks the line between blues and soul. There are traditional blues like “I’m About to Get Old” and “Don’t Tell Me”, and uptempo romps like “20 Hard Days” and “Policeman Coming ‘n You Going to Jail.” While there’s little here that would be unexpected, this is a well-done debut from a new voice in Memphis blues and soul.
The Kentucky Headhunters have made a name for themselves combining various indigenous popular music styles of North America in a unique way that somehow remains country, and their new album Dixie Lullabies continues the seamless blend of rock, country, pop, blues and soul for which they are known. Of course there are country songs, but even they have a fairly agressive edge. And there are soul songs like “Tumblin’ Roses”, teenage rock songs like “Les Paul Standard” and even contemporary Christian songs like “Just Believe.” The final tune, “Recollection Blues”, has a 1930’s jazz mood about it, complete with brushes on the drums. Dixie Lullabies is certainly not a record for country purists, but for those who are interested in the ways that country, bluegrass, blues, soul, jazz, gospel and rock are related, it is fourteen tracks of Americana heaven. Dig in!
The Kentucky Headhunters have made a name for themselves combining various indigenous popular music styles of North America in a unique way that somehow remains country, and their new album Dixie Lullabies continues the seamless blend of rock, country, pop, blues and soul for which they are known. Of course there are country songs, but even they have a fairly agressive edge. And there are soul songs like “Tumblin’ Roses”, teenage rock songs like “Les Paul Standard” and even contemporary Christian songs like “Just Believe.” The final tune, “Recollection Blues”, has a 1930’s jazz mood about it, complete with brushes on the drums. Dixie Lullabies is certainly not a record for country purists, but for those who are interested in the ways that country, bluegrass, blues, soul, jazz, gospel and rock are related, it is fourteen tracks of Americana heaven. Dig in!
The Kentucky Headhunters have made a name for themselves combining various indigenous popular music styles of North America in a unique way that somehow remains country, and their new album Dixie Lullabies continues the seamless blend of rock, country, pop, blues and soul for which they are known. Of course there are country songs, but even they have a fairly agressive edge. And there are soul songs like “Tumblin’ Roses”, teenage rock songs like “Les Paul Standard” and even contemporary Christian songs like “Just Believe.” The final tune, “Recollection Blues”, has a 1930’s jazz mood about it, complete with brushes on the drums. Dixie Lullabies is certainly not a record for country purists, but for those who are interested in the ways that country, bluegrass, blues, soul, jazz, gospel and rock are related, it is fourteen tracks of Americana heaven. Dig in!
Peggy Scott-Adams began her career in 1968, and has been a star of soul and blues for over 40 years, but she has never forgotten her gospel roots, as evidenced by her new album Back to the Roots on her own Nora Records label. This is not Ms. Adams’ first foray into gospel, as she had an earlier gospel album called God Can and He Will, and the gospel roots of her singing are evident even on her secular releases. But this new album consists of 10 classic gospel songs and new compositions, including “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand” and Twila Paris’ “Lamb of God.” Back to the Roots may not be what fans of Peggy Scott-Adams were expecting, but, as the title says, it returns her not only to her Christian upbringing, but to the foundations on which soul and blues were built.
Peggy Scott-Adams began her career in 1968, and has been a star of soul and blues for over 40 years, but she has never forgotten her gospel roots, as evidenced by her new album Back to the Roots on her own Nora Records label. This is not Ms. Adams’ first foray into gospel, as she had an earlier gospel album called God Can and He Will, and the gospel roots of her singing are evident even on her secular releases. But this new album consists of 10 classic gospel songs and new compositions, including “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand” and Twila Paris’ “Lamb of God.” Back to the Roots may not be what fans of Peggy Scott-Adams were expecting, but, as the title says, it returns her not only to her Christian upbringing, but to the foundations on which soul and blues were built.
Peggy Scott-Adams began her career in 1968, and has been a star of soul and blues for over 40 years, but she has never forgotten her gospel roots, as evidenced by her new album Back to the Roots on her own Nora Records label. This is not Ms. Adams’ first foray into gospel, as she had an earlier gospel album called God Can and He Will, and the gospel roots of her singing are evident even on her secular releases. But this new album consists of 10 classic gospel songs and new compositions, including “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand” and Twila Paris’ “Lamb of God.” Back to the Roots may not be what fans of Peggy Scott-Adams were expecting, but, as the title says, it returns her not only to her Christian upbringing, but to the foundations on which soul and blues were built.
Howard Grimes, Scott Bomar and Archie Turner at the Memphis Music and Heritage Festival, 2011
Scott Bomar of the Bo-Keys backstage with Archie Turner of Black Rock and legendary drummer Howard Grimes from Hi Rhythm, at the Memphis Music and Heritage Festival, September 3, 2011