Emma first appeared on this site back in 2019 talking about her influences in music and how she got started…
“It was ‘Aretha Now’ and ‘Aretha Sings the Blues’, both records shaped my development as a singer. I used to sit for hours listening to the songs on vinyl”.
Last Christmas as the sun went down on a cold, dark night I filled me hot water bottle, turned on the TV and watched an exhilarating performance by Aretha Franklin. The live concert from Amsterdam in 1968 was an absolute joy to watch.
In the packed audience the front row laid flowers for the Queen of Soul as Aretha ripped into (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction wiping away the painful memories I have of the Stones version.
With Aretha at the piano my mind flips back to Christmas Eve 1975. I was a 10 year old kid watching Freddie Mercury singing Bohemian Rhapsody on his white piano, the BBC were broadcasting a Queen concert from Hammersmith Odeon. Live events like these on the telly stood out as really special.
With fast cutting, crash zoom and whip pan camera shots, Aretha’s black and white film captures a danger – giving the concert an air of at any moment this could all fall apart. I can see why the show has acquired legendary status. Closing out at 35 minutes my only complaint was why so short?
Here we are in 2024 and life for Emma is coming at her fast, she kick started the year being pictured on the cover of Blues Matters magazine which features her new album ‘Memphis Calling’ recorded in Sam Phillips studio, USA.
“The studio breathes, it has an immense presence. The live room is awesome, beautifully designed. I let my emotions out on the recording” said Emma.
Check the article here > https://bluesmatters.com/
USA publications Downbeat and Living Blues have also featured Emma. Keeping the momentum up live dates see Emma hitting the North during March, first up is Bowness Bay Festival on 16th then Boom Club in Leeds on 23rd. More gigs are planned during spring.
A gig in the North East is a quickie on the coast in May with an acoustic set at the Harbour View, Sunderland on the 23rd where you might see Emma on Roker beach plodging in the sea. For non-Geordie or Mackem speakers that’s when yer ankle deep in water.
More dates during summer are being fixed in the diary with venues lined up through to the autumn. Details to be released soon.
Download the album here >
https://EmmaWilson.lnk.to/MemphisCallingNE
For tour dates & ticket info check the official website here >
Alikivi March 2024
ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST CULTURE 