Paul Rodgers pays homage to classic R&B and soul

Somehow this press release got by me in the run up to the holidays. Should be an interesting CD...

Paul Rodgers, the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with Bad Company, has partnered with 429 Records and is gearing up for the release of “The Royal Sessions”—a re-imagined collection of classic R&B and soul songs. U.S. release is on Feb. 4 (international release dates below).

It was recorded at Memphis’ Royal Studios, historic home of Willie Mitchell and Hi Records, with many of the musicians who played on the original tracks. Rodgers pays homage to Otis Redding, Albert King, Ann Peebles and more. 

“The Royal Sessions” captures a live band and vocal takes as performed together at the studios by Rodgers and musicians who played on the original hits in 1960s. The rhythm section includes Reverend Charles Hodges (Hammond B3), Michael Tolls (guitar), LeRoy Hodges Jr. (bass), “Hubby” Archie Turner (Wurlitzer), Steve Potts and James Robertson Sr. (drums), The Royal Horns and the Royal Singers.  

Everything came together as Rodgers was working on a solo record and the producer discovered that Royal Studios was still running under the auspices of Willie “Pops” Mitchell’s son, Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell.

The opportunity to record there with musicians he considered personal heroes was a dream come true. The cross-section of material was hand picked by Rodgers, due to historical significance and personal meaning.   

 

Says Rodgers: “I really felt I had to get deeper inside myself than I ever had in my life. The end result is that recording these songs left me recharged as a singer and also as a songwriter. My favorite part was the love we could feel in the room throughout all the sessions. We all spoke the same language.”

 

All proceeds will be donated to local Memphis music education programs. Special showcase performances by Paul Rogers with the musicians on “The Royal Sessions” will be announced.

 

Track listing:

 

1) Thank You

2) Down Don’t Bother Me

3) I Can’t Stand The Rain

4) I’ve Been Loving You Too Long

5) That’s How Strong My Love Is

6) Walk On By

7) Any Old Way

8) It’s Growing

9) Born Under A Bad Sign

10) Dreams To Remember

 

“The Royal Sessions” will be released worldwide on the following dates:

 

Europe—1/27

Canada—1/28

Japan—1/29

Australia—2/7