| MEmphis Rock and Soul | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 7, 2016 | |||
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| Genre | Rock, soul | |||
| Length | 47:39 | |||
| Language | English | |||
| Label | Stax | |||
| Producer | Melissa Etheridge | |||
| Melissa Etheridge chronology | ||||
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MEmphis Rock and Soul is the 14th studio album by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released by Stax Records on October 7, 2016. A collection of soul covers, the album received a positive critical reception.
Etheridge wanted to record an album of songs in Memphis and from the Stax Records catalog that inspired her as a child growing up in Kansas, specifically in historic Memphis studios with recordings that included her own sound while being faithful to the original versions. [1] Etheridge additionally recruited some of the original artists who recorded the initial songs and even used Al Green's microphone to record her vocals. [2] The album was preceded by a music video for her cover of Sam and Dave's "Hold On, I’m Coming". [2]
The spelling of the title with "MEmphis" represents Etheridge's initials. [1]
Editors at AllMusic Guide rated this album three out of five stars, with reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine characterizing the covers as "faithful and loving to the original versions, preserving the arrangements but sometimes allowing the band to vamp a bit", noting that "her affection for both the songs and sound of Southern soul in the '60s is evident". [3] Lee Zimmerman of Glide scored this album a nine out of 10, writing "there’s no pomp or pretension needed; Etheridge revels in her own edge and authority, thereby making these songs an ideal match for a style that’s always been borne by a certain soulful edge to begin with". [4] Hal Horowitz of American Songwriter rated MEmphis Rock and Soul four out of five stars and also noted the natural fit between this genre and Etheridge's style, noting that the music "leaves you with an appreciation that Etheridge loves and cares about the music and is determined to do it justice". [5] PopMatters' Colin McGuire gave the album a five out of 10, calling out several tracks as weaker than the originals and assessing that her vocals don't "match the amount or the type that it takes to successfully embody these songs" leaving the album "a soul record that lacks soul". [6]
Deluxe edition bonus tracks
| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA) [7] | 40 |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [8] | 50 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [9] | 121 |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard) [10] | 79 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [11] | 82 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [12] | 52 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [13] | 63 |
| US Billboard 200 [14] | 34 |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [15] | 9 |
| UK Americana Albums (OCC) [16] | 16 |
| Billboard Blues Albums [17] | 1 |
Melissa Lou Etheridge is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and guitarist. Her eponymous debut album was released in 1988 and became an underground success. It peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard 200 and its lead single, "Bring Me Some Water", garnered Etheridge her first Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female in 1989. Her second album, Brave and Crazy, appeared that same year and earned Etheridge two more Grammy nominations. In 1992, Etheridge released her third album, Never Enough, and its lead single, "Ain't It Heavy", won Etheridge her first Grammy Award.
Skin is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released by Island Records on July 10, 2001. The album explores the pain, confusion, grief, and recovery Etheridge went through following her split from Julie Cypher, her companion of 12 years. "Heal Me" features background vocals by Laura Dern and Meg Ryan. Etheridge plays almost all the instruments and penned all the songs.
Melissa Etheridge is the debut album by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released by Island Records on May 2, 1988.
Brave and Crazy is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released by Island Records on September 11, 1989. As of 2010, the album has sold 632,000 copies in the United States alone, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Never Enough is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released by Island Records on March 17, 1992. As of 2010, the album has sold 997,000 copies in the United States alone, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Yes I Am is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released by Island Records on September 21, 1993. The pivotal album that gave Etheridge national and international recognition, the rock ballad "Come to My Window" was the first single released from the album, which peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, and its video featured the actress Juliette Lewis having a nervous breakdown. This single was quickly followed by "I'm the Only One", which became a major hit in the US and reached No. 8 on the Hot 100, and "If I Wanted To", which reached No. 16. By 2010, the album had sold over 4,348,000 copies in the United States alone, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Your Little Secret is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released by Island Records on November 14, 1995. It is her highest-charting album on the Billboard 200, where it peaked at No. 6. The album also contained three singles, "Your Little Secret", "I Want to Come Over", and "Nowhere to Go". "I Want to Come Over" went on to reach No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Nowhere to Go" peaked at No. 40.
Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul is the third studio album by American soul singer and songwriter Otis Redding. It was first released on September 15, 1965, as an LP record through the Stax Records subsidiary label Volt.
The Bar-Kays is an American funk band formed in 1964. The band had dozens of charting singles from the 1960s to the 1980s, including "Soul Finger" in 1967, "Son of Shaft" in 1972, and "Boogie Body Land" in 1980.
William Bell is an American soul singer and songwriter. As a performer, he is best known for his debut single, 1961's "You Don't Miss Your Water"; 1968's top 10 hit in the UK "Private Number", a duet with Judy Clay; and his only US top 40 hit, 1976's "Tryin' to Love Two", which also hit No. 1 on the R&B chart. Upon the death of Otis Redding, Bell released the well-received memorial song "A Tribute to a King".
Pain in My Heart is the debut album of soul singer-songwriter Otis Redding. Redding recorded for Volt Records, a subsidiary of Stax Records, based in Memphis, Tennessee. Volt LPs were initially issued on the Atco label, which released this album. The title song was written and arranged by Allen Toussaint, under the pseudonym Naomi Neville.
The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads, simply referred to as Soul Ballads or Sings Soul Ballads, is the second studio album by American soul singer-songwriter Otis Redding, released in 1965. The album was one of the first issued by Volt Records, a sub-label of Stax Records, and Redding's first on the new label. Like Redding's debut Pain in My Heart (1964), Soul Ballads features both soul classics and originals written by Redding and other Stax Records recording artists. The recording sessions took place at the Stax studios in Memphis. The album features a stereo mix made by engineer Tom Dowd, replacing the early mono mix.
"I've Been Loving You Too Long" (originally "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)") is a soul music ballad written by Otis Redding and Jerry Butler. Considered by music critics and writers to be one of Redding's finest performances and a soul classic, it is a slow, emotional piece with Redding's pleading vocals backed by producer Steve Cropper's arpeggiated guitar parts and a horn section.
King & Queen is a studio album by American recording artists Otis Redding and Carla Thomas. It is Thomas' fourth album and Redding's sixth and the final studio album before his death on December 10, 1967. Influenced by Marvin Gaye's duets, the album features ten covers of soul classics and the eleventh finishing song co-written by Redding.
The Awakening is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released by Island Records on September 25, 2007. The album conveys Etheridge's current autobiographical, religious and political perspectives. Etheridge made the album to convey parts of her story and journey along with her love for God. In the album's booklet, she included a letter to all who buy it starting with "Dear Friend".
Hold On, I'm Comin' is the 1966 debut album by Atlantic Records soul duo Sam & Dave, issued on the Atlantic-distributed Stax label in 1966.
This is the discography of American soul singer Otis Redding.
Fearless Love is the 11th studio album by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released by Island Records and Def Jam Music Group on April 27, 2010. Etheridge stated in an interview the album is "about being fearless. It's about choosing love over fear. It's a way, a philosophy of living life that suits me well." The album was recorded at the Document Room in Malibu, and Hensons Studios in Hollywood, CA. It features twelve tracks on the standard release and two bonus tracks on the deluxe edition.
This Is M.E. is the 13th studio album by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released on September 30, 2014 by Etheridge's own label ME Records, which is distributed by Primary Wave Records. It features eleven tracks on the standard release and four bonus tracks on the Target exclusive version.
The Medicine Show is the 15th studio album by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge. The album was released on April 12, 2019, by Concord Records and her own MLE Music.
