Memphis Rock and Soul

by Melissa Etheridge

Overview

Memphis Rock and Soul -- meaning the kind of integrated, funky, swampy R&B-rock hybrid cranked out of Memphis' American Sound Studio in the late '60s, music that often saw release on the Stax imprint -- is certainly well within the wheelhouse of Melissa Etheridge, who has emphasized the bluesy, soulful undercurrent in her voice since her eponymous 1988 debut. Arriving nearly 30 years after that album, Memphis Rock and Soul -- released on a revived Stax by Concord Records -- is faithful and loving to the original versions, preserving the arrangements but sometimes allowing the band to vamp a bit, as on Sam & Dave's "Hold on, I'm Coming." Usually, Etheridge stays with tried-and-true songs, finding space for both Otis Redding and Albert King, but she slides a couple of left-field choices into the mix, such as William Bell's "Wait a Minute." If Etheridge doesn't necessarily rework these songs, these straightforward interpretations illustrate why the catalog endures and her affection for both the songs and sound of Southern soul in the '60s is evident. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	10/07/2016
Label:	Concord / Concord Music Group / Stax
UPC:	0888072002067
Rank:	191436

Tracks

1. Memphis Train
2. Respect Yourself (People Stand Up)
3. Who's Making Love
4. Hold on, I'm Coming
5. I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)
6. Any Other Way
7. I'm a Lover
8. Rock Me Baby
9. I Forgot to Be Your Lover
10. Wait a Minute
11. Born Under a Bad Sign
12. I've Got Dreams to Remember

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Melissa Etheridge   Primary Artist
Jonathan Kirkscey   Cello
Yennifer Correia   Violin
Beth Luscombe   Viola
Lannie McMillan   Saxophone
Jessie Munson   Violin
Stefanie Bolton   Vocals (Background)
Marc Franklin   Trumpet
Kirk Smothers   Sax (Baritone)
Jim Spake   Sax (Tenor)
Michael Toles   Guitar
Archie Turner   Keyboards
Leroy Hodges   Bass

Technical Credits

Luther Ingram   Composer
David Porter   Composer
Raymond Jackson   Composer,Composer
Mary Hogan   A&R
Myriam Santos   Photography
Barbara Stephens   Composer
Priscilla Renea   Composer
Lawrence "Boo" Mitchell   Engineer
Carrie Smith   Design,Art Direction
Theron Feemster   Programming
Willie Sparks   Composer
Lowell Fulsom   Composer
Mike Fahey   Mixing Assistant
Seth Presant   Engineer
Sir Mack Rice   Composer
Bettye Crutcher   Composer
B.B. King   Composer
Jimmy McCracklin   Composer
Isaac Hayes   Composer
Joe Josea   Composer
Don Davis   Composer
Homer Banks   Composer
John Burk   Composer,Producer,Executive Producer
Rufus Thomas   Composer
Vance Powell   Mixing
Jerry Butler   Composer
Melissa Etheridge   Composer,Producer
Otis Redding   Composer
William Bell   Composer
Zelma Redding   Composer
Paul Blakemore   Mastering
Booker T. Jones   Composer