Wild Bill's
Here is a variety of clubs and theaters to check out on your Memphis trip. The New Daisy is a large (1000+) showcase theater. Wild Bill’s is a late night Juke Joint that is hard to find anywhere else. Minglewood Hall and Young Avenue Deli will give you an idea of what is happening with young bands. And The Mud Island Ampitheater is a seasonal venue in the middle of the Mississippi. Continue reading
All week on World Cafe with David Dye, the Sense of Place series is exploring the city of Memphis and its musical heritage. Today, we take a video tour of Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland, from the living room to the jungle room. You can listen to the Sense of Place series on WXPN at 2 p.m. Monday through Friday all this week, or at 7 p.m. on XPN2: Singer-Songwriter Radio.
All week on World Cafe with David Dye, the Sense of Place series is exploring the city of Memphis and its musical heritage. Today, we continue David’s Top Fives by exploring the city’s famed BBQ scene. You can listen to the Sense of Place series on WXPN at 2 p.m. Monday through Friday all this week, or at 7 p.m. on XPN2: Singer-Songwriter Radio.
The story goes that if you ask anyone in Memphis for their favorite Barbecue joint they will give you a passionate answer. But then no two will agree! In that spirit here are five of the best that earned high praise from our Sense of Place sources. Continue reading
All week on World Cafe with David Dye, the Sense of Place series is exploring the city of Memphis and its musical heritage. Digging a bit deeper into the Stax Records roster, David Dye presents a roundup of Stax women who rocked just as hard as its men. Listen to the Sense of Place series on WXPN at 2 p.m. Monday through Friday all this week, or at 7 p.m. on XPN2: Singer-Songwriter Radio.
For our Sense of Place visit to Stax studio, here is Just a sample of the female talent at Stax records in Memphis, starting with “Soul Girl.” That’s right the answer to Sam and Dave’s “Soul Man,” also written by Dave Porter and Isaac Hayes. The artist, Jeanne and The Darlings, are from Arkansas. “Mr Big Stuff” by Jean Knight was the biggest female hit on Stax, although the track was recorded in New Orleans Jackson, Mississippi. And you may have heard Wendy Rene’s “Bar-B-Q” coming out of your TV on a commercial. Sassy, soulful, funky – give it up for the women of Stax. Continue reading
Delaney and Bonnie
Eddie Kirk is how Eddie Kirkland was billed on the two singles he released for Volt. He was guitarist in Otis Redding’s band at the time. Originally from Atlanta Barbara Stephens recorded four singles for Stax including this gem “Wait A Minute.” Johnny Jenkins is best known for bringing Otis Redding to Stax with his band The Pinetoppers. He went on to record Dr John’s “Walk On Gilded Splinters” on his album Ton Ton Macoute that was later sampled for Beck’s “Loser.” “Spunky’ is a funky instrumental and his only single for Stax. The Del-Rays were from Illinois and cut two single for Stax. The flip of the other single (not included here) features the first recording by Michael McDonald-that’s right of Doobies fame – on a version of “There’s Always Something There to Remind Me.” And Delaney and Bonnie cut their first album Home at Stax backed by The MGs. Continue reading
All week on World Cafe with David Dye, the Sense of Place series is exploring the city of Memphis and its musical heritage. Today, we set the scene with David’s Top Five Recording Studios. You can listen to the Sense of Place series on WXPN at 2 p.m. Monday through Friday all this week, or at 7 p.m. on XPN2: Singer-Songwriter Radio.
The history of Memphis music is in the walls of five studios that were there at the beginning of rock and soul music. Four of them are still there at their original addresses. You can tour two of them, Stax and Sun. Three of them are working studios: Sun, Ardent and Royal where contemporary artists still record. Alas one (American) is a parking lot. But pay a visit anyway. Continue reading
Jerry Blavat, The Geator, hosts The Geator's Rock 'N' Roll Rhythm & Blues Express on WXPN
