Soulsville

2016 release. Beverley Knight celebrates the music, sounds and legacy of Memphis on Soulsville. Recorded in a week long session in February 2016 at (Al Green producer) Willie Mitchell's legendary Royal Studios in Memphis, Soulsville sees Beverley return to the city she fell in love with during preparations for her hit west end show Memphis The Musical. Named after the Memphis neighborhood that housed the iconic Stax Records and where Royal Studios still stands, Soulsville takes in original songs and a handful of Memphis classics. The album features a collection of stirring new songs co-written by Beverley with the likes of Jimmy Hogarth (Adele, Duffy) and Matty Benbrook (Paolo Nutini). Soulsville, Knight's first album for almost five years, following her all conquering stint in the West End, also sees her celebrate Memphis classics in three stunning collaborations. Firstly with Jamie Cullum on William Bell and Judy Clay's 'Private Number', then Jools Holland on a version of 'Hound Dog', and finally with original Memphis soul man Sam Moore of Sam and Dave, giving their super high energy take on the duo's classic stomper 'Hold On I'm Coming'. Produced by Justin Stanley (Beck, Eric Clapton, Prince) with Willie Mitchell's son Boo Mitchell engineering, and featuring some of the original Hi records/Al Green players including brothers Leroy and Charles Hodges on bass and Hammond respectively, Soulsville is a fantastic return to form.