Been a while since I was in Memphis. Christmas 2011 in fact. I was recording some tracks at Sun Studio with Matt Ross-Spang. ‘Christmas in Memphis’ and ‘Anytime (Anytime)’ which appeared on my album Houston. I was first in Memphis around 1986 and loved it straight away. This time I was the guest of Vicki Loveland and Van Duren (www.lovelandduren.com) and it was great to play music with some lovely people who are also remarkable writers and musicians.

L-R Damion Pearson, Van Duren, Greg Reding, Liam Grundy, Ian Duren, Vicki Loveland, Jessie Munson, Adam Holton

L-R Damion Pearson, Van Duren, Greg Reding, Liam Grundy, Ian Duren, Jessie Munson, Vicki Loveland, Adam Holton

Van Duren and Vicki Loveland performing some of the songs off their forthcoming album.

Always wanted to visit Ardent Studios ever since I got to hear Big Star, and to record there with Van and Vicki was a real privilege. The songs on their new album are really great and carry on that Memphis tradition of true R n’B with great melodic soul!

Ardent has been home to everyone from Dylan to ZZ Top, Steve Earle and The Stones. It’s a real piece of Memphis history

A studio I’ve always loved the sound of, but never visited is Royal Studios. Established in 1956, it is one of the oldest continuously operated music recording studios in the world.
It is widely known for producer, recording artist and owner, Willie Mitchell, and notable productions of Al Green, Chuck Berry, John Mayer, Buddy Guy, My Morning Jacket, Robert Cray, De La Soul, Otis Rush, Keith Richards, Solomon Burke, The Bo-Keys, Bobby Blue Bland, Ann Peebles, Ike & Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Anthony Hamilton, Rod Stewart, Paul Rodgers, Cody Chesnut as well as the Barnyard and Soul Men soundtracks. Bruno Mars’s Uptown Funk was recorded there too.

Boo Mitchell is Willie Mitchell’s son, and thanks to Vicki and Van, I had a chat with him and a look around the studio. It’s pretty much as it always was! What a place!

L-R Liam Grundy, Vicki Loveland and Van Duren

A special build for Willie Mitchell. Ampex 350s.

L-R Van Duren, Liam Grundy, Boo Mitchell and Vicki Loveland

Thanks so much to Boo for his time and great hospitality. A busy man who took time!

Managed to get along and catch some great bands like The Tennessee Screamers at (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0xmaNW2kNA) here at DKDC. Two telecasters and brilliant vocals. See them if you can!

Great to meet up with J. M. and Deborah Van Eaton again, and chat about….music, rock n’ roll and recording studios! J.M. played drums with Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Charlie Feathers, Bill Justis, and Ray Smith. A Memphis and World Legend.

L-R Fiona Grundy, J.M. Van Eaton, Liam Grundy

L-R Deborah Van Eaton, Fiona Grundy and Liam Grundy

So we headed off to Sam Phillips Recording Service. A wonderful studio which has been fully restored! It also has great cutting and mastering room on site. Jeff Powell Mastering is second to none!

Inside the stylish Sam Phillips Recording Service Inc

Sang a couple of songs beneath the famous moose’s head at Mortimer’s. A fine Memphis establishment run by Chris Bell’s sister Sara Stewart.

Site of Elvis’s iconic performance! Levitt Shell, Overton Park Memphis

UNTIL THE NEXT TIME

Liam Grundy