Send me on a musical journey of Memphis please

Royal Recording in S. Memphis near Stax Museum--might not be able to go in, but you have to see it.

don't miss the bbq--at the Bar-B-Q Shop on Madison, also near Ardent, there are pictures of many a musician autographed, sit under the photo of Bobby Bland. Last time I was there, the bar at BBQ Shop had this wacky collage of photos of everyone. At Interstate BBQ on S. Third, there are a million photos of musicians, including Little Howlin' Wolf, and it's probably the best 'que in town, altho BBQ Shop has perhaps the best and most underrated dry ribs. Cozy Corner on North Parkway has the most eccentric and good sandwich.

Center for Southern Folklore is cool to visit.

If it's still open, Audiomania also on Madison is a good used/new record shop. Huey's also near there--Midtown, Midtown--usually has some good fat white guys playing blues on Sunday afternoon.

The Gibson gtr. place downtown.

Beale Street is worth checking out, but you might wanna read some history before you venture amongst the tourists.

in general, Shangri-La can most likely direct you to many other sites; if you wanted to visit, say, Chris Bell's grave out in the 'burbs of E. Memphis, they probably can tell you where that is, I have forgotten.

the area around Cooper-Young has a lot of cool stuff, there are shops and clubs there. I lived there for 10 years, haven't visited in a few, so the city has changed a bit. mainly, drink somewhat heavily if need be, avoid tourist traps like the Rendezvous BBQ place downtown, and don't be afraid to get off the beaten path.

About a block over, on Poplar Avenue, is Burke's Book Store, which has a great selection of Memphis books and can likewise direct you to a lot of local attractions.

"Kreature Comforts Lowlife Guide to Memphis*, Memphis’ most beloved visitor’s guide, is back in its 4th fantastic edition!

Includes all of the essential Memphis historical music sites, current clubs and bands, excellent out of the way soul food & bbq pits, as well as the most necessary shopping tips and general Memphis madness. All of this can be yours for $4 ppd to:

what Interstate and BBQ Shop have that one must try is the barbecue spaghetti. the smoked turkey sandwich is awesome at Interstate, too. I just ate lunch but I'm salivating!

If you get tired of 'cue, there are some good Vietnamese restaurants; my favorite is Pho Saigon, 2946 Poplar.

And Edd, what history do you suggest I read about Beale Street?

Y'all rock for all this!

the other great thing on beale is stanley booth's liner notes to "beale st. saturday night," a concept album about beale prod. by jim dickinson in 1979. you can't find the record--you might find a copy in memphis and pay thru the nose for it, it's only on LP far as I know--but if you wanna send me your correct e-mail address and some money I might be persuaded to type or scan the thing out, it's that good and I feel badly for anyone who goes there without reading it. kidding about the money.

for my $$, the greatest thing ever said about that town is on that record, by thomas pinkston, who says, "the american white man and the american negro is the most advanced two figures on earth. nobody outdo us, they can't whup us. just the works of the Lord." he then goes on to say that, had he stayed in Africa, sitting up in banana tree wearing a "diaper" and yelling "boola boola," he would not have had the advantages he got by being brought to America and to Memphis and Beale Street. This is the Memphis spirit in its finest expression and the consternation that statement evokes in your average person/rock fan illustrates why the city is unique and will remain unknowable to almost everyone; like nashville, my home these days, might as well be a thousand miles away instead of 200.

anyway, booth's liner notes are just fine.

To complete the morning, I dragged my group to Miss Ellen's Soul Food, the best soul food I have yet to eat.

http://sidselvidge.com/tour-dates.php

Sis Selvidge who played with Jim Dickinson and was highlighted in Robert Gordon's "It Came From Memphis" book is doing a rare US tour

Sid

Bringing Memphis to the White House for a PBS special on tv next week (see below). Wish there had been a current Memphis label Ecko act like Ms. Jody on the bill instead of Cyndi Lauper, but Sam Moore & others are great. I see on twitter that many wish this fancy event had not been held last night, in the middle of the sequester and the night before the Prez is about to propose Social Security and Medicare cuts.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/justin-timberlake-mavis-staples-and-more-bring-sounds-of-soul-to-the-white-house/2013/04/09/874edf58-a13f-11e2-82bc-511538ae90a4_story.html

“In Performance at the White House: Memphis Soul” was the 10th gig of its kind since President Obama took office in 2009

...

Timberlake obviously didn’t have a hand in forging the Memphis sound, but he’s the 21st-century product of the singers who first exemplified it, including Stax Records royals Sam Moore and William Bell, who each performed tear-extracting ballads with subtle authority: “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby” and “You Don’t Miss Your Water,” respectively.

The great Booker T. Jones served as the bandleader, giving the cast — Mavis Staples, Eddie Floyd, Queen Latifah, “American Idol” survivor Joshua Ledet, neo-old-soul band Alabama Shakes and new-wave-singer-reborn-as-Memphis-blueswoman (real­ly!) Cyndi Lauper — a comfortable bed to sink into. Songwriter Ben Harper and harmonica hero Charlie Musselwhite, meanwhile, pushed the band into rougher, more riveting waters with their duet, “I’m In, I’m Out, and I’m Gone.”

Al Green cancelled his appearance at the White House's "Memphis Soul" concert, citing back injury. This is the second time he has bailed on the Obamas.

I think PBS is showing the Memphis at the White House thing on Tuesday April 16

Meanwhile:

posted by Bill D*hl on F*cebook
The sad news I heard from a friend is true--the Ovations' Nathan "Pedro" Lewis passed away April 10 in Memphis at age 69. He was a terrific interview with an incredible memory, and I always enjoyed getting together with him when I visited Memphis. The Memphis Commercial-Appeal didn't even run an obituary online, just a death notice. What a shame--a founding member of one of Memphis' greatest '60s soul groups deserved better.

http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Ovations.html

Had a nice quick visit to Memphis. Al Green and his choir were great at his church. Did Stax, Sun and the Civil Rts museum/Loraine Motel. No time to do Ardent, and we missed by one day the "Sons of Mudboy" gig. Checked out the boarded up and fenced in home where young Aretha Franklin lived the first 2 years of her life. Got introduced to the late guitarist Lee Baker's widow at a Gail Cobb gig (so tragic how he was murdered back in the 90s).

With the Fieldstones long since broken up, I was hoping to see the Bo-Keys and Don Bryant, but they were off touring Europe. Yep, lots of old-school Memphis musicians plus old and new rappers rarely do live events. Not sure whether there's live soul at the Blue Worm club...

We did see Impala do covers of 50s & 60s era instrumentals--surf, jazz, "Harlem Nocturne" plus jazzy blues singer Joyce Cobb

http://memphismagazine.com/features/joyce-cobb-what-a-wonderful-world/

Unfortunately I only learned after my trip you can visit the grave of the late great Johnny Ace in New Park Cemetery.

I didn't make it there either. The Shangri-la Projects Kreature Comforts Lowlife Guide to Memphis lists a handful of addresses like that (Furry Lewis, and more) but we didn't have the time to check em all out (the same with the Mississippi blues trail markers)

https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/money/business/development/2018/02/22/sugashack-soul-may-enliven-block-next-beale-district/362593002/

New club featuring old-school soul to open

Cool

https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/an-evening-of-sacred-soul-with-elizabeth-king-and-elder-jack-ward/?fbclid=IwAR0wOG6cSzZukZtDrYNy74pHmBYRwQ4CHV3Rb5sd6hfAnEuUs4BV1ycQhlI

special evening showcasing Memphis sacred soul from the late 1960s to present day at Crosstown Theater. With an exclusive showing of The D-Vine Spirituals story documentary followed by performances by Elizabeth King and Elder Jack Ward, supported by the Sacred Soul Sound Section. A meet-and-greet/record signing with the artists will be held at Memphis Listening Lab at 6 pm, prior to the show.

This is Friday December 3rd in Memphis. The D-vine Spirituals gospel label was founded there in 1970

RIP Shawn Cripps of Limes. Tarantula was one of my fave Memphis records of the 00s-10s