Melissa Etheridge - MEmphis Rock and Soul

MELISSA ETHERIDGE HONORS THE RICH MUSICAL HISTORY OF LEGENDARY MEMPHIS LABEL STAX RECORDS.
RECORDED AT ROYAL STUDIOS BY LAWRENCE “BOO” MITCHELL, MEMPHIS ROCK AND SOUL FEATURES CLASSIC STAX REPERTOIRE.

Melissa Etheridge has done some pretty gutsy things in her stellar career. She’s shown no fear in forthrightly standing up for her truths, both in her songs and her life.

But as an artist she’s never quite laid it on the line like she does on MEmphis Rock and Soul. Sure, she’s sung songs by some of her biggest heroes before. But Otis Redding? Mavis Staples? Sam and Dave? Rufus Thomas? These are some of the names, some of the voices of music at the pinnacle of an era in American music, the people indelibly identified with the songs on this album. Captured at the historic landmark Royal Studios with a band of some of the preeminent figures in the Memphis scene, the album includes veterans of some of the city’s most cherished recordings. The songs themselves are all core to the famed Stax Records label, and the album is Etheridge’s loving tribute to the role the music of Stax played in her life, and in modern American life.

“You have no idea!” she says of diving into this project, which also features John Mayer’s deft guitar talents on two songs. “It took a lot of soul searching.”

But powering her musical soul is her memory of dancing around her Kansas City childhood home to the music of Memphis via WHB on her AM radio dial, transfixed and transported by the power and mystery, the joy and ache of those great songs, enhanced as she grew up by the impact this music had on the rock bands she embraced — the Beatles, the Stones, Led Zeppelin.

“It’s something that directly influenced me, and indirectly,” she says. “So much a part of what I’ve always wanted to be and wanted to sing and show that emotion, that intensity that knows no color. It comes from your soul. Each of us knows the heartbreak of ‘I’ve Been Loving You Too Long’ — ‘Please don’t make me stop now!’” #live #music #rock

[rebeccavaughan]

Melissa Etheridge you're the greatest female blues singer. Love the old songs. I grew up in Arkansas, the best radio stations back then!

[snowysaxy]

I can't wait to pick up this album. Melissa Etheridge is our queen of rock and soul.

[yokoshemp]

Thank-you Melissa. Years of lonely dark highways with your voice coming out of the cassette deck... I wouldn't have survived without your help.

[bjornkok]

xxx, ....big thx for all those great too enjoyable tunes M...we love you in The Netherlands

[mjd]

My favorite album! 💯🎸🎤☮️✌️ Saw her last night at Hampton Beach Casino! Epic as Always!! 🔥🤙❣️

[rebeccavaughan]

Fantastic I want this album. I remember these songs I grew up with. Super Melissa!!!!

[virginiarobinson-sherwood]

We need more of this in the world of music ..sung with energy and conviction. It’s my shot of whiskey .

[Cecilia-nriz]

Can't wait to hear this album. Sounds amazing!!! 2:06 BEAUTIFUL I LOVE YOU,

[nybabe]

Big fan of Melissa 15 yr MEIN member seen her over 70x that includes all the free events that Island record had. I can't keep track of all my shows as I don't have ticket stubs but have all of the ones I actually paid a price for! Gonna soon to the Apollo and on The Rock The Boat cruise the MEmphis Rock & Roll tour! Have spoke to her 2x as a fan gave her a cell phone from the stage in Ct in 08 as she sang If You Want To and she called me in 2015 May b/c I HAD cancer in Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Center! I've sat next to Linda Wallem in the Apple Store in Soho in 2007 and saw her as one of those free events Meet The Artist where she sang sings from 4th Strret Feeling and did a Q& A at the store! Plenty of other free events too, PC Richards Theater, Carson Daly show and we got in free at The China club as a woman who was outside let's us in after we came over from the Carson Daly show. Melissa talk how she was performing there and we took a shot 😎 Others left so then later a group of us got in a stood at the back as everyone was standing! Now you guys called Melissa the Queen I called her the current Queen b/c the true Queen is Tina Turner of Rock & Roll! Tina could dance and sing and make an extrance during Divas99 LIVE like no one else! She stole the show we as Tina fans say #BESTENTRANCEEVER! MELISSA writes her own music so we are celebrating her life and she is now doing covers that Tina did like Hold on Im Coming -Sam & Dave and Rock Me Baby - Otis Redding! Incredible music soul music! I listen to BB King all the time and Billy Joel too! Melissa rocks but Tina Turner is the Real Queen of R & R😎👍

[marylou]

soul music - Sam & Dave - love her new direction