Sometimes an album is a combination of serendipity and synchronicity – in this case coupled with a hell of a lot of sheer talent. Emma Wilson’s debut album ‘Wish Her Well’ was released in time to attract a worldwide audience and the title of ‘Emerging Blues Artist of the Year’ in 2022. That led to a trip to Memphis and a meeting that led to her recording this album on the original STAX recording console in Memphis and with a select line up of Memphis’ finest session musicians.
As we heard on ‘Wish Her Well’, Emma has an incredibly soulful voice. Massive heart and a purity of tone that is really exceptional. When the song calls for it, she can get downright sassy – ‘Hoochie Coochie Mama’ – or she can deliver a soul song like ‘A Small Word’ and you think you are listening to a female Otis. Every track gets the appropriate style and she proves on track after track that she is capable almost any form of soul or Blues. ‘What Kind Of Love’ gets a full on Stax R&B with Don Bryant guesting on backing vocals and a baritone sax blast courtesy of Kirk Smothers.
She combines originals written with the likes of Terry Reid and Gary Burr, with some soul classics – ‘Water’ by Steve Cropper & Eddie Floyd or her version of Willie Dixon’s ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’ – and delivers them all with ease and a lot of fun. The album was produced by Scott Bomar and he has Wilson backed with some stunning talent: Charles Hodges on Hammond, Archie Turner on other keyboards, Joe Restivo on guitars, Leroy Hodge on bass and drums from Steve Potts. Kirk Smothers and Mark Franklin supply horns.
It’s an album for dancing to, an album to back up a party and an album to listen to. Sheer class.
