Performing ahead of release of latest album Soulsville
Beverley Knight is set to perform at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on 28 May ahead of the release of her latest album Soulsville and single Middle of Love on 10 June.
It’s incredibly 21 years since the ‘Queen of UK soul’ released her debut album The B-Funk. The tour marks her first for four years and will feature her hits from the years as well as songs from her West End shows and her new album.
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 2015 Oliver Award nominated role in the hit west end show Memphis The Musical, to record her 8th studio album.
Named after the Memphis neighbourhood 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 explores the sounds and reflects the soulful vibes of a city that gave us the likes of Al Green, Booker T, Howlin Wolf and Aretha Franklin. The album features a collection of stirring new songs co-written by Beverley with the likes of Jimmy Hogarth (Adele, Duffy) – with whom she co wrote opening single Middle Of Love and Matty Benbrook.
Soulsville, three-time MOBO award winner Knight’s first album for almost five years, following her stint in the West End, also sees her celebrate Memphis classics in three stunning collaborations. Firstly with Jamie Cullum on a stunning version of William Bell and Judy Clay’s Private Number, then Jools Holland on a version of Big Momma Thornton’s Hound Dog (later a monster hit for Elvis Presley and a nod to the inextricable link between Memphis and The King) 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.
Beverley Knight performs at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on 28 May 2016.
