New Guy soul tribute album out November 9

[Cybille]

About time I visited here again.

Guy's just finished his acoustic tour. I only saw 4 concerts - absolutely brilliant, of course. He just gets better and better.

The soul tribute album that he recorded in Memphis is due out on November 9. This is the album that was recorded on 16 track analogue and 13 of the 15 tracks were first takes! Mind you, Guy's band for the album was the MGs (aka The Blues Brothers band) who could do this stuff in their sleep (but it sounds like they're doing it for the first time). Plus some other fantastic Memphis musicians.

I've heard some short grabs of four songs - sensational!:

[Prinia]

An error on the Sony site, which has now been rectified.

btw


If you click on website I have just listed
http://www.sonshinefm.ws/
on the RH side there is audio on demand. Choose Guy's interview & then just wait. It takes a couple of secs then starts on its own. (I hope for you anyway)


Great GREAT interview, even if his voice is totally husky (just finished a gruelling series of gigs, and straight into the promotion for this album - 20 interviews one day, and 15 I believe, the next).


Actually, Rodney doesn't get to say much at all except ask a few questions. Guy was "born to talk" as he puts it.

"Hold On, I'm Coming" is absolute PERFECTION. We've heard it on radio, and there are a couple of testers on this site

(and must laugh - a friend took a friend to Guys gigs at Melbourne, she went sort of reluctantly but hey, it was a night out. NOW she can't stop yabbering about him! "Another one bites the dust!!")

[kelly]

An error on the Sony site, which has now been rectified.

Not to Shabby

[Prinia]

I've Been Loving You Too Long - Otis Redding


My dear God! literally. If Guy has this one on his album I may REALLY expire. Everyone, I want "Hold on, I'm Coming!" played, if I've finally received my final ticket! Please remember.

There are many times over the last few years when he's left me absolutely tingling - I know I keep harping, but the damned single, "Oh Oh" appears to have disappeared, and on that is the sweetest "Sweetest Berry" you will EVER hear. Heaven only knows what key he reaches but its the highest (and purest) I've ever heard.

As Guy seems to be heading down a deeper track we may never hear THAT one again.

Hi Kelly.... I can't begin to tell you how I'm feeling right now, its like kids before christmas I think.

And I remembered last night - which one here mentioned he wouldn't have Guy front his band?

It's okay - Steve Cropper is VERY happy to have Guy front his own - the original Blue Brothers band. We've just been advised by Titus, Guy's manager that if we think we've heard the best - just wait. I WANT THE CONCERT! NOW!!!! I am so trying to keep myself to two only. Soul zones are I think $104.00 but you get the sound check (Guy's sound checks are absolutely beautiful, clear and pure and 'sweet', right on each and every tone and note. AND some footage from the making of this album. (And by heaven we had better FINALLY get a DVD out of this. However, as one can see on youtube - we are looking after ourselves atm - but ithey don't replace a fully professional one with all the fabulous sound)

[Prinia]

okay, things are hotting up sooooo much.

I've put the youtube link in the other thread but I probably should also put it here.

HERE (http://www.guysebastian.com.au/musicbox/home.do?bcpid=229520678&bclid=281861402&bctid=1295293211)

Is Guy Sebastian in Memphis. Fascinating video, and great sound bites of the album. SOUNDS AWESOME!!!!!!

I guess they'd also have some respect for Guy, as he not only plays guitar and keyboard AND drums, but also engineers - so he tends to have an all round understanding - more so than most singers.

Also today, we have the video for "In The Midnight Hour"

HERE for the video ITMH (http://music.ninemsn.com.au/latestvideo)

AND AND AND AND
he is at a gig in MY town on Friday - and we are going!!!!

and
THE MEMPHIS MEDLEY

[Prinia]

LOVING IT.

Itunes have it - extra bonus track from there. Loving the album, but I'm so hooked on
"I've Been Loving You Too Long" that I've played it about 20 times and having a hard job moving on.

ALL singers and aspiring singers should listen to that one. ALLLLLL

because it 'sells' the song, the lilt / rhythm is superb, the music is perfect, the bv's glorious and Guy - ?

A slight country feel, its so heart wrenching that I found myself with tears rolling down my cheeks 1/2 through. (He's been given the boot, as it were - just been told his girlfriend is moving on - that's the theme).

Just moves totally into perfection.

[Prinia]

Here's a good interview (including Matt Corby) with Dicko and Mark, on their radio show, prior to Monday night's decision. Perhaps that will make up for it. Guy composes song for Dicko and Mark too, using their 'suggestions' :haha:

Thanks to Infused

Here's a download of the interview and it starts with Matt talking about Guy - haven't edited it so I hope it's ok smile.gif

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GJ4A0HDE

[Prinia]

Here it is ..... just a brilliant interview and performance again by Guy wub.gif

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CFPEDIK2


thanks to infused from the forum.

In this one Kyle admits having said to Jackie O that Guy's performance on Monday last week was the best performance he's ever seen! (Man, we KNOW now he doesn't go to Guy's concerts! Why on earth do they think we keep ging to so man! This is GUY performing, live - we get these performances all the time - miss one, and you regret it)

[Prinia]

This article (http://forums.guysebastian.com.au/index.php?showtopic=19887&st=0&#entry551973) is just great.

CUrry Webber, the original engineer says his copy of the album has now got 'stuck' in his machine, he can't believe it because he listened to it a million times while recording.

John Fry and curry are making arrangements to come over for the tour.

we're in 7th heaven, the cds have been flying out the door of the shops. Doubt Guy will get a No. 1 however, there's a compilation going atm plus The Eagles have released a double cd for the same price.

Spice girls (picture me laughing) is also in this week.

[Prinia]

I really have been slack this latter part of the year, I missed my flu shots this year and think it might be telling (although I'll never be trulyconvinced work)

anyhow

http://www.guysebastian.com.au/musicbox/home.do

THAT takes you to Guy's web videos - try the MEMPHIS Tab, there are five videos there - LOVE this one (transcript of Steve Cropper's interview)

Honestly - Guy IS mind boggling. You HAVE to be there, when he's live. Whatever you see via video, add another 50%. Not kidding. "Something" happens, live. He should never, ever record other than live - preferably with an audience (hands up!!)


I got a call from my publisher out in LA and he said, "What are you doing in the next few weeks? I just had an interesting call .. they’ve got a young artist down in Australia and he’s had a lot of success, he’s had three albums out, he’s done very well with it, he’s very popular down in Australia and he’d like to come to Memphis Tennessee and make a tribute album of Stax music".

You know it’s a set of songs, when you start talking about In the Midnight Hour, Knock On Wood, Soul Man, those kind of songs, those are songs that every dance band has to play just about every night.

It’s his fourth album he’s had three albums in the past that have all been very successful down in Australia, and after I got in the studio with him and actually got to see him perform and be around him ..and I’d been listening to him, I knew he was a good singer - what I didn’t know was the fact that he was able to adapt to the soul treatment. I couldn’t believe this guy’s voice. I mean I literally .. it’s hard to say “this guy” because we say it all the time .. it was really interesting to hear his voice ..it was a pleasant surprise. And that was a surprise to see how well he had researched himself, in listening to people like Al Green and Sam and Dave and Otis Redding and Eddie Floyd and they are the creators of the Memphis music, the Memphis sound. He’s mindboggling, and he does it with so much feeling and real honest energy you know ..and to me that’s always been what sells records.

He has it .. he has what we call in the business “chops”.

Cos there are so many young kids out there that have not been exposed to this kind of music, that don’t really listen to what we call ‘oldie but goody’ radio stations or the ‘classic’ stations, some of them get by, but if we have a new young artist that they can relate to and he’s out there doing this kind of music in the true form that it was originally written and produced. I think that’s the way to go and I’m going to take that chance with it and we’ll see how far we go with it.

[Prinia]

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d51/Debz75/siggies/siggy-memphis.jpg

debz siggie

we've been blessed with five new photos in Sony's gallery.
We're very happy.

and yet
even then

its STILL not the Guy we know. I'm not sure what it is, but he's not that 'big'.

never mind... Very happy to have that photo for now

Oh, so far we have around 3 or 4 FOUR STAR reviews, all praising the album up mightily

(I think they're having real problems because it's GUY we're talking about, and australia does NOT forgive an Idol winner)

[TaylorHicksRocks]

Guys voice is absolutely splendid he is magical I could fall for him just by hearing him sing....oh to sing to me...;)

[Prinia]

Hiya THR

I'll send you a copy....

Here's two interviews

Guy Interview
Not sure who's doing the interview, but Guy is a sweetie in this one. Ummm I'm meaning, he's usually more down to earth. (see say David Tench interview on youtube - strange one that, because Tench is usually so bluntly rude)
So it would be interesting (but apparently impossible for us) to know who's doing the interviewing. But all the same, its a great interview.


Steve Cropper Interview
This is INCREDIBLE!!! Steve comments 'he's mind bogglin' ".

I mean, that's how we feel, but - so nice to hear a LEGEND say it. No wonder they're already mentioning another album and stuff... (except I know Guy wants his own stuff too, so its going to be an interesting next few years or five)

Gotta share this stuff with the world sez teensmum

[TaylorHicksRocks]

Thank you Prinia that first Video is really quite fantastic and the 2nd one well outstanding!!!!!! Guy sure does know what he wants out of life!!!!

[Prinia]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b320/polyglot/MemphisSigning11.jpg

Signing today in Melbourne. The album has gone Platinum, which for Australia is just FABULOUS, to do that already. We're all so pleased.

Its selling like hotcakes, can't believe it's going so well on Itunes too. Others are coming
and going,
but Guy's keeps staying in the top 10.

[Prinia]

awww I LOVE that Steve Cropper special with BB King (if I can find the link Ill put it here, fabulous youtube )

We're pleased to say that at last they've shipped Platinum out - they've been flying off the shelves (went from Gold to Platinum almost in 5 days) and so many places seem to have run out of stock. Should have enough however, now, to cover for after the TV Special, "Your Song" this Tuesday night on Ch. 7 at 7.30pm (December 4). The ads look fabulous and all very exciting.

The Memphis Album is holding well, #8 tonight on the Aria Charts, after 3 weeks. Reallly good, considering the usual radio problems :/ . Thank goodness TV land LOVE him and after he has finished "Your Song" he'll be able to spread around the various channels as per usual. (Apparently Ch. 9 wanted him earlier in the year for something, but it just wasn't possible).

The album is even hanging well on Itunes, still in the top 10. (Daft Punk appear to have big followers :shifty: )

Asia,including India and Japan - watch this space.

All others B)
--------------
adding by edit

Comic Relief (http://www.comicrelief.org.au/guy_cd.asp) donation of $5 for every album sold through their site.

He's a beautiful man, truly

[Prinia]

You know? Sometimes a measure of a person's success is the incredible feats people who dislike him (or her) go to, to drag down etc. In that case, Guy must be the most successful of almost any artist
because some (??) people have been working so very very VERY hard, just at the time when things are going so well. It's no wonder that Matt opted out of it all, because I know Guy - while he wouldn't have talked him out of things he WOULD have been totally honest about what he's been through if asked the right questions (and Matts no dummy, he would have been around here and there, and seen for himself).

Some newspaper journo got all the odd stuff from Guy's interviews pre idol finale and put them together and made it look like he;'s just come out with stuff and etc etc - and of course the antiGuy people (so far, there's not that many - but they post a lot of course - like I'm betting about 6 anti comments will be from the 1 person, for sure) get on the bandwagon. Arrgghhh fame is a terrible TERRIBLE thing.


Past that..................

This Steve Cropper BB Kings - The Tribute Blues

It doesn't get any better than this :wub: :P

I just KNOW that THIS will be the vibe for next year's concert. Steve, and the others... just AMAZING!
and thanks to Janice

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=98X0QEYI

http://download.yousendit.com/F677CCEC7A3091B2
download of Wilbur Wilde's actual interview today with Steve Cropper

[Prinia]

The reviews so far have been amazing - and non biased, which is really appreciated.

DID WE EVER MENTION


THIS ALBUM IS 'LIVE IN THE STUDIO'

14 of the 15 tracks were one takes, straight with the band
the track that was played again was "Hold On, I'm Coming" - simply because he exhausted himself on the first take.

This is the last one we've found


Soul
The Memphis Album
Guy Sebastian
SonyBMG
4 stars out of 5

"IT would be easy to dismiss the Memphis Album as Guy Sebastian's answer to the big-selling Motown collections by Human Nature. After all, it'll be Christmas in a minute. I felt this right until I put the cans on. Now, Australian Idol winners are not generally known for their commitment to the authencity of musical styles. But some kind of alchemy has happened here. Not only has Sebastian recorded in the city of the title, enlisting the aid of renowned rhythm-and-blues specialists Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn, Lester Snell and Stve Potts, he has lifted his bar to match the talent around him, pulling astonishing, authentic soul performances out of the depths. While his vocal performances are technically amazing, more impressively he has absolutely nailed the rhythm and spirit of the material, sounding for all the world like he means every lusty word. Songs as distinctive as Hold On, I'm Coming, In the Midnight Hour, and Let's Stay Together are steep targets. But Sebastian manages to add and not detract.
Listen once and you'll play it again."

By Ian Cuthbertson

Source:
The Weekend Australian
Dec. 8-9, 2007
Review Supplement
Music Section
page 20



The Weekend Australian Dec. 8-9, 2007,


another,


SOUL
by Bryan Patterson

The Memphis Album
Guy Sebastian
(Sony/BMG)
****
In short: A ripper of an album with Stax of appeal.

WHO would have thought a more than credible album of soul classics could be produced by a Malaysian-born crooner who won Australian Idol a few years back?
Even the true Memphis buffs are crowing about Guy Sebastian's excellent work on such songs as Soul Man, Hold On, I'm Comin', In the Midnight Hour and (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay, accompanied by many of the revered musicians who played on the originals.
Sebastian travelled to Memphis, the home of famous Stax Records, to record. Hence the rather unimaginative album title.
The studio band included guitarist -- and album producer -- Steve Cropper and bassist Donald ``Duck'' Dunn.
Sebastian nails the tunes. He's respectful yet unafraid to inject them with a joyous individuality. Best is Al Green's Take Me to the River, a track that chugs away, then cuts down to guitar and bass, and then starts up all over again.

SOURCE
Sunday Herald Sun
IE
9 December, 2007


from before

Guy Sebastian's "Memphis" Album Is Actually Good

NOVEMBER 22, 2007 - 09:06 AM

Fans of this website know that on weekends and holidays, we tend to get, um, less "news" directed.

A few weeks ago, we became enamored with a story about Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian's sojourn here to record an album with some legendary Memphis musicians.

Well, the album is out now and we decided to see what it sounded like, so off we went to Guy's website. There's a nice montage of videoclips of the Bluff City and samples from the songs. We were somewhat surprised (being cynical Memphians) to discover that the little sonofagun can really sing. He nails these tunes.

Sebastian is currently touring Australia with Memphis legends Steve Cropper, Duck Dunn, Lester Snell and Steve Potts.

Check it out. (And yes, we know we'll get a zillion website hits from Australia. Hey, it's Thanksgiving. Traffic is traffic, you turkeys.)

http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/Content?oid=oid%3A36500 (http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/Content?oid=oid%3A36500)


and a baby one from Sanity's Ultimate magazine (Sanity shops have been selling like the proverbial hotcakes. They are a great shop, they know what they are doing, good staff enthusiastic about their product - cant recommend them highly enough. JB Hi Fi seem to have the same vibe but a different set up.)



"With this well-crafted new album Guy Sebastian gives a major nod to R&B's soul roots. Locked away in the studio with original Stax musicians Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn, Steve Potts, Lester Snell and Dave Smith, Sebastian did not simply re-record classics but has also given them his trademark makeover.


and


Music
Soul survivor

By Daniel Bardsley, Staff Reporter
Published: December 02, 2007, 01:07

Sustaining a successful career over the long term has proved tricky for many of those who have found fame in the various Pop Idol programmes.

They burn brightly to start with, but once the massive television exposure of the contest is over, other names soon replace them in the hearts of the record-buying public.

The comeback kid

Guy Sebastian, who won the Australian Idol title in 2003, looks like one of the few Idol winners who will be around for quite a while.

He has just released his fourth studio long-player — The Memphis Album — which has gone to the top three spots in his home country, despite the fact that it came out without the release of any singles to promote it.

Malaysian-born Guy's first three albums mixed pop with rock, R'n'B and a few other influences, and proved that he is as good a songwriter as he is a singer.

He co-wrote most of the songs on his second and third albums. Among them were quite a few tracks that rightly deserved the classic status they achieved.

Soul covers

For his latest record, Guy has put down his song-writing pen and instead turned to the great songs of the past from his favourite musical genre — soul.

He has recorded excellent versions of some of the classics of soul music, including Otis Redding's (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay, Let's Stay Together and Knock On Wood.

Other highlights include Under the Boardwalk and Soul Man. However, perhaps the best track on the album is Guy's version of In the Midnight Hour. It is electrifying.

To give the album added authenticity, Guy recorded it in Memphis with many musicians from the city's legendary Stax record label, which can trace its origins back 50 years.

Future plans

Some of the Stax musicians, including Steve Cropper, the co-writer of In The Midnight Hour, will be touring with Guy in Australia.

One thing is clear from this album — Guy really is an excellent soul singer. For his next album, he is said to be working on some original soul songs — and I cannot wait to hear what he comes up with.

The writer is the travelling bard of Gulf News

http://www.gulf-news.com/notes/music/10171632.html


Someone on the forum is actually collecting them all - thank heaven. I really haven't time.


But following the youtube links to just a few of his Idol performances in 2003, I WILL drop links there to some of his own songs on youtube, live performances. And remember anyone dropping in, what you ever see in videos - add 50% for that magic over the stage vibe! Its the reason why Dicko, Kyle and Mark kept on saying that Memphis Medley was the best performance they'd ever seen ANYWHERE (we're talking ANYWHERE - not just idol performances) and saying it in terms of 'shock'. We weren't shocked, because THAT is why we travel anywhere for just one more live performance. It's witnessing that LIVE performance, being there. THAT is where the magic lies. THAT is why he had people shooting up everywhere giving standing ovations all throughout his APO concerts at the Opera House and Arts Centre.

So bear with me, I'll to dropping those some time within the next five hours.

[Prinia]

Thanks to Butterfly from our official forum

a whole heap of reviews from the media for The Memphis Album.
This is a must read for anyone that has ever doubted, overlooked or underrated Guy's PHENOMENAL talent or just for those of you who want to be reminded again why we love Guy's music soooo much.



Source:The Weekend Australian
The Memphis Album
Guy Sebastian
4 stars out of 5

"IT would be easy to dismiss the Memphis Album as Guy Sebastian's answer to the big-selling Motown collections by Human Nature. After all, it'll be Christmas in a minute. I felt this right until I put the cans on. Now, Australian Idol winners are not generally known for their commitment to the authencity of musical styles. But some kind of alchemy has happened here. Not only has Sebastian recorded in the city of the title,enlisting the aid of renowned rhythm-and-blues specialists Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn, Lester Snell and Steve Potts, he has lifted his bar to match the talent around him, pulling astonishing, authentic soul performances out of the depths. While his vocal performances are technically amazing, more impressively he has absolutely nailed the rhythm and spirit of the material, sounding for all the world like he means every lusty word. Songs as distinctive as Hold On, I'm Coming, In the Midnight Hour, and Let's Stay Together are steep targets. But Sebastian manages to add and not detract.
Listen once and you'll play it again."

By Ian Cuthbertson



Source:
Sunday Herald Sun
The Memphis Album
Guy Sebastian
(Sony/BMG)
****
In short: A ripper of an album with Stax of appeal.

WHO would have thought a more than credible album of soul classics could be produced by a Malaysian-born crooner who won Australian Idol a few years back?
Even the true Memphis buffs are crowing about Guy Sebastian's excellent work on such songs as Soul Man, Hold On, I'm Comin', In the Midnight Hour and (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay, accompanied by many of the revered musicians who played on the originals.
Sebastian travelled to Memphis, the home of famous Stax Records, to record. Hence the rather unimaginative album title.
The studio band included guitarist -- and album producer -- Steve Cropper and bassist Donald ``Duck'' Dunn.
Sebastian nails the tunes. He's respectful yet unafraid to inject them with a joyous individuality. Best is Al Green's Take Me to the River, a track that chugs away, then cuts down to guitar and bass, and then starts up all over again.


Source:
Sanity Ultimate Magazine
The Memphis Album
Guy sebastian

"With this well-crafted new album Guy Sebastian gives a major nod to R&B's soul roots. Locked away in the studio with original Stax musicians Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn, Steve Potts, Lester Snell and Dave Smith, Sebastian did not simply re-record classics but has also given them his trademark makeover."


Source:
The Memphis Flyer Website
Guy Sebastian's "Memphis" Album Is Actually Good

Fans of this website know that on weekends and holidays, we tend to get, um, less "news" directed.

A few weeks ago, we became enamored with a story about Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian's sojourn here to record an album with some legendary Memphis musicians.

Well, the album is out now and we decided to see what it sounded like, so off we went to Guy's website. There's a nice montage of videoclips of the Bluff City and samples from the songs. We were somewhat surprised (being cynical Memphians) to discover that the little sonofagun can really sing. He nails these tunes.

Sebastian is currently touring Australia with Memphis legends Steve Cropper, Duck Dunn, Lester Snell and Steve Potts.

Check it out. (And yes, we know we'll get a zillion website hits from Australia. Hey, it's Thanksgiving. Traffic is traffic, you turkeys.)


Source:
Melbourne Bay Side Weekly
The Memphis Album
Guy Sebastian

Trendy inner city types may scoff at Australian Idol, but not even the most ardent local rock pig could deny the talent of the show's inagural winner Guy Sebastian.

The formerly afro-haired musician returns just in time for Christmas with this set of original Memphis hits he recorder earlier this year with a handful of renowned Stax musicians including Steve Cropper and Donald Duck Dunn. Most of the album has a running happy party vibe making it more than a mere coincidence that hte release date is so close to the onset of summer.

Sebastian's vocal chops fit the genre to a T, and the song selection including Hold On I'm Coming and the brass laden Take Me To The River will appease those with even a passing interest in Memphis music.

Guy Sebastian will play the Palais Theatre on March 1.

- Kathryn Kernohan


Source:
News.com.au Entertainment ]
Guy Sebastian goes back to music's Memphis roots (By Jolleh Abshar)

THE Memphis album is Guy Sebastian's best album to date.

The style suits not only his voice, but also his persona.

The tracks are joyful, funky and of course, soulful.

He's covered Hold on I'm coming, In the midnight hour, and (Sittin' on) The dock of the bay.

To record an album packed with such well-known classics can be a risky business, especially with all the self-proclaimed soul experts lurking on every corner.

But luckily for Guy Sebastian he’s supremely talented and revived the tunes for another modern audience to enjoy for a while.


Source:
Woman's Day Magazine
The Memphis Album
Guy Sebastian

If anyone needs proof Guy Sebastian is a vocal superstar, listen to this album.
Highly ambitious Guy covers some of the greatest soul hits - from Take Me To The River to Hold On I'm Coming - accompanied by mebers of the MGs and Blues Brothers Band.

And boy does he live up to the challenge and impress.


Source:
The Surf Coast Echo
CD Reviews with Aleks Devic
Guy Sebastian
The Memphis Album

At risk of mutilating some of the greatest songs ever, Guy Sebastian has paid the ultimate homage to his favourite soul tunes. He has recrafted tracks such as Soul Man, Under The Boardwalk, Knock On Wood, Hold On I'm Coming, after a trip to Memphis where he teamed up with original Stax musicians including Steve Cropper, Donald 'Duck' Dunn, Steve potts, Lester Snell and Dave Smith to record the classics. Unlike other cover albums Sebastian has respected the original composition but still managed to add his own flair to it with the final result satisfying fans of the original tunes and opening a new audience to the soul sound. The most decent cover album to come out in a long while.


Source:
Brisbane Courier Mail M&M Liftout
Guy Sebastian
The Memphis Album ( Sony/BMG ) 3 ***

This album shows where his musical heart lies. No expense is spared, recording in Memphis with Stax label legend Steve Cropper ( co-author of Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay ), included here).
The album is at it's best on the songs that haven't been played into the ground, in particular the relaxed groove of Al Green material ( Let's Stay Together, Take Me To the River).
I've Been Loving You Too Long shows how assured he is when connected with the right songs.
One of the best tracks, the confident R&B of I'd Like to Get to Know You, is a Sebastian co-write. He should demand the chance to explore that path next time.

Reviewer. Noel Mengel


Source:
Daily Telegraph Music Section
HEAR IT
Guy Sebastian
The Memphis Album (4 out of 5 stars)
(Previews with Kathy McCabe)

Oh yes, Mr. Sebastian, you are a soul man. While the whole covers concept usually reeks of desperation to kick-start a stalled career, this is one exception. The fact that the MGs, led by Steve Cropper, agreed to work with him in Memphis should silence the doubters as these are men who wrote and played the original soul classics recorded by everyone from Elvis, Al Green, Otis Reading and the other legends of the time. Sebastian covers all bases of this halycon material era with a clever choice of repertoire that will resonate with a wide audience. The restrained flow of his take on the much butchered I Can't Stand the Rain is commendable, while the joyous In the Midnight Hour is sonic bliss. (Sittin On) The Dock of the Bay is possibly his bravest hit-out but he does Otis proud with his finest vocal performance of the album.


Source:
The West Australian
The Memphis Album
Song BMG
Review Terry Reilly
**** 4 STARS

In Memphis to revitalise 14 R&B chesnuts from the greatest era in soul music, Guy Sebastian's pilgrimage took him to the state-of-the-art Ardent Studios.

The band, mostly from the Stax Records rhythm section who played on Soul Man, Hold on Im coming, Midnight Hour, and the Dock of the Bay do the honours on these and other Memphis classics such as Al Green's Take me to the river.

To Memphis buffs these songs are the Holy Grail and outsiders such as the Malaysian-born Sebastian are not welcome. BUT even the hardest followers of songs caked in Memphis mud should bow generously to the subtleties in band performance and the singer's deft use of falsetto and depth of feeling.

In fact, the latter two are highlights, notably throughout Greens' Lets stay together.
Arrangements haven't changed much since Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett's hey day, but the overall results ooze freshness and excitement.

[Prinia]

and the rest

-------------

Source:
Kid Zone
The Memphis Album
Guy Sebastian

Hey dudes and dudettes,
He's the original and in my eyes, the best Australian idol.
Guy Sebastian not only shows how smooth he is behind the mic, but his humble and genuine nice guy attitude really completes this artist.
It doesnt seem to be about chart success for Guy. His fourth album, The Memphis album, takes a step back in time and sounds like one awesome jam session with extremely talented musos from America. It's all about the soul with many hits that your mum and dad would be familiar with.
It's not just in his music that Guy shows a lot of soul. During his recent tour, Guy's support acts included his younger brother Chris, who sounded so similar to the established artist. Chris performed a great set, bit when the spotlight turned to Guy the show stepped up a notch.
Performing only a handful of his hits, Guy relaxed back and jammed through many well known songs from his soul album and a few unexpected tracks in Rhianna's Umbrella and Gnarls Barkley's Crazy.
The highlight of the show was when the empty chair next to Guy was filled by Chris for a duet of "home" by Brian McKnight.
It would have been easy for Guy to sing the lead and show off, but instead he handed it over to Chris, with Guy singing some gorgeous harmonies.
For Guy, it's not about the spotlight shining on him. It is about performing the music he loves with the people he loves.
That's why he is still the best in my eyes!!





Source:
Gulfnews.com
SOUL SURVIVOR
Soul covers
For his latest record, Guy has put down his song-writing pen and instead turned to the great songs of the past from his favourite musical genre — soul.

He has recorded excellent versions of some of the classics of soul music, including Otis Redding's (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay, Let's Stay Together and Knock On Wood.

Other highlights include Under the Boardwalk and Soul Man. However, perhaps the best track on the album is Guy's version of In the Midnight Hour. It is electrifying.

To give the album added authenticity, Guy recorded it in Memphis with many musicians from the city's legendary Stax record label, which can trace its origins back 50 years.

By Daniel Bardsley, Staff Reporter


Source:
Ninemsn Entertainment
Hot Clip: Guy Sebastian, "In the Midnight Hour"
Music Videos (What's Hot)
01 "In The Midnight Hour"
Guy Sebastian

Guy Sebastian spent some time in Memphis, Tennessee to record a tribute to the sounds coming out of that city in the sixties.
You'll love his swinging, soulful rendition of "In The Midnight Hour".


Source:
TV Week Magazine
Music Reviews
The Memphis Album
Guy Sebastian
4 STARS

Hot Diggity Dog, how good does Guy sound singing soul classics?
The Fro-ster's gravelly soul voice comes of age on this album and is the perfect fit for these fab classics.
We challenge you to listen to this album and not want to sing along from the first track to the last.



(the three star, is from Queensland, who appear to have some beef about Guy. Usually they cut any mention out of him in their papers, so this review is probably the equivalent of a 10 out of 10 - FOR THEM!)
Doesn't have much of an influence tho, the screams the other night were deafening.

[Prinia]

thanks to heather


Many will remember Steve Jones' brilliant review of 'Beautiful Life' in the dB Magazine [November 2004]
... but if you can't remember or haven't seen it..... <click here (http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/344/cd-GuySebastian.shtml)> or <here (http://forums.guysebastian.com.au/index.php?showtopic=1741)>.



Guy Sebastianhttp://www.dbmagazine.com.au/427/GuySebastian.jpg

There's little need to reiterate Guy Sebastian's inaugural 'Australian Idol' pathway to multi-platinum success, but his latest album requires a little explanation. Almost entirely an album of covers, it was recorded with several members of the original Stax house band, Booker T & The MGs. When I spoke to him, he explained the extraordinary events that led to this his most recent project, a seemingly impossible dream come true.

"Mate, it was pretty incredible; they were just an amazing band," exclaims Sebastian, making no attempt to understate the fact. "Steve Cropper, he's done it all. I mean, he wrote (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay, In The Midnight Hour, Knock On Wood and heaps of other songs," many of which are covered on this very record. "He's just an incredible guy, and as a songwriter and a producer he's the man, you know? And he was also a part of Booker T and the MGs with Donald [Duck] Dunn," Sebastian gushes.

"I was actually writing for my next original album and then this opportunity came up, so we approached them and they initially said that they were busy but they asked us to send something through. So yeah, we sent them some live recordings and Steve rang us back and said how much he loved my voice. He then said that if I could get over there whilst they were in Memphis for the Stax Music fifty year anniversary he'd do an album with me so we put my next original album on hold and I got there, quickly!" he enthuses.

"Like, this was the stuff that I grew up with and when I look at what came out of Memphis I can't believe that it all came out of the one place" Sebastian continues, with seemingly endless enthusiasm. "I used to listen to Otis Redding and then Al Green, who's probably influenced my voice more than anyone and now I'm so lucky, you know? Like, these guys played on the original recordings. I've been watching their DVDs for years and these guys are there gigging with Otis, and Sam and Dave, and The Staple Sisters and they were the band, you know? And I've never sang like that before in my life," he exclaims.

"It brought something out of me that I didn't even know was there. I was pulling out licks and little trills I didn't even know I had so for me, I'm just literally humbled and blessed to lend my voice to these incredible songs." There were some nervous moments, though, and Sebastian admits that "to actually be in the studio with these guys I thought I'd be intimidated as soon as they started playing. Then the first song that we did was In The Midnight Hour and when I started to sing I turned around and got their nod of approval," the still young star smiles.

"We recorded this old school, all together live on analogue tape. We did fifteen songs in four days and we didn't even rush so we probably could've done them all in one day. It just showed me a lot about the value of having great musicians and the way we did it was we did it together, so there were moments where I'd go, 'Yeah, yeah, yeah', and Steve would just follow that on his guitar and you just don't get that when you disconnect the singer from the instrumental recording sessions. It was an incredible time and they were very efficient because they of course knew the songs. I mean, I did change some arrangements here and there," Sebastian says of his co-producing credit alongside Cropper, "but even with I'd Like To Get To Know You, which is the only song that I wrote, I played it to them just once and that was it. We went in and they started playing and that was it; just one take all the way through. Like, I produced the vocals on the album and Steve obviously oversaw the whole band because he's worked with them for a long time and then I just came in and had different ideas for some of the arrangements and I wrote some [backing vocal] lines." As the opening track so boldly declares, Guy Sebastian is without doubt a true Soul Man.

Steve Jones

'The Memphis Album' is out now on Sony/BMG



SOURCE:
dB Magazine
Issue #427 [12 Dec-25 Dec, 2007]

http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/427/iv-GS.shtml (http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/427/iv-GS.shtml)

[Prinia]

we had another recent review and this fella doesn't give his stars easily :haha: so 3 1/2 is great


The Memphis Album
Guy Sebastian
(Sony BMG)
3 and a half stars
__________________________

In Short: Sebastian's best by a
country soul mile.
__________________________

....ONE-TIME Idol winner Sebastian
has come back from the wilderness
with a rich and remarkable collection
of classic soul covers backed by soul
veterans who've stood alongside
everyone from Otis Redding to the
Blues Brothers.
....He tackles Al Green, Sam & Dave,
Wilson Picket and many more with
expertise that, frankly is astonishing.
....Importantly, the experience has
trimmed the puppy fat from Sebastian's
singing, and he's dug deep to pull off
the goods.
....Of course, the danger with a whole
album of covers, especially in light of
Human Nature's recent triple play
exploration into the music of Motown,
is that it can come over as glorified
karaoke. Sebastian tackles this by
ensuring he offers at least one new
element in each reading, as well as
adhering predominantly to the
deeper soul of the Stax material.
................................Paul Nassari


Don't know about coming in from the wilderness, unless that's his idea of finally coming into the sort of music he should be singing. But I personally disagree with THAT, too. His 3 Words (on youtube), is beautiful and that is from his first album. Taller Stronger Better is enormously popular, Be Mine - to have missed that would be a crime, and his jazz, and rock...
but I guess - each to their own.

And I'm betting Paul Nassari has NEVER been to a Guy concert. Guy should always record, live, preferably with an audience. It's where he's best, feeding and bouncing off the band and audience, really 'flying' with the musical moments.

[Prinia]

9 WEEKS DOWN
#23 on the National Chart (which is amazing, as we get inundated with US stuff!!)

and 2P!!!!

[Prinia]

AFTER 10 WEEKS, # 23 ON THE NATIONAL CHART!!

AND 2P!!!!!


AMAZING STUFF!!! and the big push and tour hasn't happened yet


(AND - all without stickers, posters, re-issues of added songs, "buy album, get single free", or added DVDs or singles etc! JUST UNADULTERATED PURE TALENT BY ALL CONCERNED!)

[Prinia]

Oh,it did go down the chart but then it shot back up again! After those great TODAY performances. I notice someone said on a UK music forum that it was because he was on So You Think You Can Dance.

but THAT is yet to come

LOVE this from allmemphismusic.com
who speak often to all the greats down that way

Had a long chat with Steve Cropper. He sounds like a 16 year old kid who is so excited to come to Australia. His belief in Guy is off the charts. Like I told you before......YOU WILL BLOWN AWAY BY DUCK , STEVE AND ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS is the man who discovered Otis Redding, who has played with so many greats, its just unbelievable. No wonder when Guy put it to them, they agreed to come over and tour. Even John Fry from Ardent Studios is coming, and Curry Weber, whose awesome blog brought him to our attention even before Guy returned


guy sebastian
Current mood: accomplished
Category: Life

i've been on a record since thursday that has opened my eyes on record making. 16 track analog, steve cropper on guitar, lester snell on piano and wurly, duck dunn and dave smith on bass, rick steff on b3, steve potts on drums...and guy sebastian on vocals. it is an unbelievable combination of talent and skill. guy is a killer vocalist and he is right at home with these guys and these tunes. he's doing all old stax and hi songs with some motown and muscle shoals mixed in....it is great and i am damn lucky to be pushing buttons and turnin knobs on this thing. WOOOO!!!!!!!.....go buy some good music NOW!!!


Curry said lately
Guy Sebastian's "The Memphis Album" has gone double platinum in Australia (with insiders putting it at triple platinum by Mother's Day!!!!) Ardent Studio's Owner and resident Memphis Music Historian John Fry and I are headed down under for a visit. We will be going to a few shows (the tour is featuring Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Steve Potts and Lester Snell-all musicians on the record!!!!) and participating in the "Soul Lounge" events planned for these stops. Fans can purchase tickets and gain access to the end of the soundcheck, get a behind the scenes look at what goes into putting together a show, see a short film about recording in Memphis and also chat

and Curry came on the Ardent Studio forums to say he had trouble getting the album out of the player in the car, and THAT was even after he'd been involved with the recording. He loves it!

Allmemphismusic.com play Guy songs all the time. What an UTTER PRIVILEGE to have Guy's songs in the same grooves as Ike and Tina Turner, and Otis and Sam cooke! ALL legends. Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis.. and Guy. FOr us fans, it can't get much better than that.

they're all so excited. Even Steve Greenwell (that awesome engineer, who handled the final of Guy's The Memphis Album and also Joss Stone's :D :P ) has gotten soooo excited he sent out a bulletin!!

[Prinia]

additional praise for the album

thanks to lillimarlene, we have some more descriptive words for the album (thanks to Doubleday)

The result is a modern take on some of the most evocative soul classics of the '50s and '60s, a passionate reinterpretation of timeless tunes, and a thrilling showcase for Guy's extraordinary talents.

[Prinia]

Album Review - self explanatory (see Groovelicious otherwise)

Talk about a tonne of pressure heading into a review! As a somewhat clueless metal-head, I was dragged along to a concert last week which I had little interest in; Guy Sebastian and the MGs (also known as the Blues Brothers Band or the Stax band) performing the hits from Sebastian’s ‘The Memphis Album’ in Newcastle. One long drive back and a bit of time on the lappy later, and I had written about what was, in my opinion, the single best concert experience I had ever been to.

What resulted from my 10/10 score for this concert was a tonne of hits on this very site, and my discovery of a rather large group of rabid Guy Sebastian aficionados congratulating me on both my review and my discovery that this man is much more than just the first Australian Idol winner; he is, in fact, a brilliant artist and performer. Despite the fact Memphis-style music is not exactly my chosen genre, I was still looking forward to receiving my copy of ‘The Memphis Album’ for review with an eagerness usually reserved for a nice display of head-banging.

The first glance at the tracklist immediately dragged me back to memories of my childhood; I grew up in a household where the Blues Brothers was played on tape at least every other week, and all the old classics still have a place in my heart (if not my iPod). From the opener ‘Soul Man’ to the final track ‘Under the Boardwalk’, it becomes immediately obvious that Sebastian has managed to not only successfully rerecord these classic tracks, but also bring a unique reinterpretation of each hit using his own vocal style.

This really is quite an amazing feat; there are many artists with decades more experience than Sebastian who are absolutely terrified to even attempt to bring their own spin to a classic song; Guy accomplishes this effortlessly. The one new track appearing on the album (‘I’d Like To Get To Know You’) does not feel remotely out of place, and is a very catchy, well written piece of music; like every song on the CD, this one will have you bopping away in your seat, if not just dancing outright.

If there is one criticism that I can make of the combined musical might that is Guy Sebastian and the MGs on ‘The Memphis Album’, it is that the recording sounds just a little too…perfect. It may be an odd complaint to make, but after experiencing the raw power and passion of the live performance, the recorded version seems to (ironically) lack just a little soul. That’s not to say that the album is not extremely technically proficient; it absolutely is, and it is an incredible musical work which will not look out of place on your shelf.

It’s just that it occasionally feels like ‘The Memphis Album’ was slightly overproduced for what it was meant to be; Guy Sebastian going back to his Soul music roots by going back to the roots of Soul music (I’m proud of that sentence). While this goal was largely accomplished, I can’t help but feel that they may have been better served by trying to keep it just a little more raw.

Don’t let that little bit of criticism throw you off though; it says a great deal about the level that Guy Sebastian has reached when the worst that can be thrown at him is that he sounds too perfect. As it is, ‘The Memphis Album’ is still easily the best album I’ve heard in quite a long while; in fact, I’m retroactively making it my album of 2007.

If anyone reads this that actually doesn’t own the album…well what are you waiting for? Guy Sebastian has well and truly come of age as a singer, songwriter, performer, and pretty much anything else he wants to be. Forget what you think you know about the man; I know I have. Instead, just go and pick this album up, give it a listen, and enjoy a musical experience which harkens back to the heyday of Soul music while still managing to have its own modern vibe.


‘The Memphis Album’: 9/10

:love:

[Prinia]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a82/chikla/nt7.jpg

The legends, Donald "Duck" Dunn, bass and Steve "The Colonel' Cropper rhythm
at The Night Train", a rather intimate music venue, Wednesday night.

We have been told (again) that Palms venue will be filmed for DVD.

No more on that - until I actually see it on the shelves. As you can see from the two critiques by Tim Sweeney
LIVE is where Guy totally shines. There is this buzz / electricity int he air, and his voice is just amazing. Music teacher, whose UK rellies are in the music business, commented on her joy when he put the mike totally away last week and finished off Ive Been Loving You with an acapella verse, no music, no mike and it just delicately filled the fab. Concert Hall with his 'pain'

we SOOO want an official, you beaut DVD with great audio and showing the vibe that is Guy on stage. Even his Soul Lounges, with chats - LOVE them. He could talk about anything, bless him.
oh, last of these shows will be Saturday night in Perth - and then he will have to fly immediately I think back to Sydney, as he is appearing at Hillsong Easter Services for several days.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a82/chikla/nt12.jpg

[Prinia]

Re the Band

here's some stuff on Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn

That Dock of the Bay Steve did with Guy the day after they arrived, there is some beautiful beautiful guitar work happening. Mesmerising (which I think Guy almost was)

http://www.memphissoul50.com/history/stevecropper.html

is another spot. Just one sentence in there, for instance

Extraordinary mega-talent only begins to describe Steve Cropper who, with Booker T. & the MGs, built one of the most distinctive and enduring sounds in American music.

Absolute music royalty :)

another nice one
http://www.musicnewsnashville.com/archives...006/cropper.htm (http://www.musicnewsnashville.com/archives/articles/2006/cropper.htm)

And Duck Dunn
http://www.duckdunn.com/biography.html


and Guy Sebastian has certainly matured since he first won in 2003!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/midsummer16/DSCF7042-1.jpg

[Prinia]

These quotes listed underneath are from when http://www.allmemphismusic.com held a 'special' on The Memphis Album (I believe they're lining up for another one this month)

AMM
All Memphis Music first heard about Guy Sebastian from our good friend Steve Cropper back in October 2007. Steve's excitement was so obviously genuine and heartfelt. Also our friends at Ardent recording Studio kept mentioning this guy, named Guy from Australia, who had recorded this fantastic album. Cropper sent us a promo copy early in December, and from the first listen we were blown away by how good these recordings were, and how much they moved us. 11 great Memphis soul classics, a Ray Charles song and a Drifter's song, both R&B classics, and an original composition by Guy himself. Guy took these songs, already etched forever in our minds and made them his own. The true mark of a great vocalist. And what a great band he lined up to play on this record with him. Steve Cropper on guitar, who also co-produced the record. Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass, Steve Potts on drums, Lester Snell on piano and keys, Dave Smith on bass on a few songs on the record, Jim Spakes on the tenor saxophone, Kirk Smothers on baritone sax, Scott Thompson on trumpet, Howard Lamb on trombone, and beautiful background vocals by Susan Marshall and Jackie Johnson. This band plays music as funky as two week old train smoke and as soulful as a sardine syrup sandwich.



Rick Steff, who added organ when Lester might have been on the keys
Rick Steff:

Hi this is Rick Steff. I'm a keyboard player here in Memphis, and was the organist on Guy Sebastian's new record, The Memphis Album. My connection to the record was Curry Weber who is the engineer, who I do a lot of work with. Basically it was cut live on the floor, much the same way a lot of the original records were done. And of course it was a huge pleasure to work with Steve Cropper. Basically the band was as if you were sitting in Booker T's seat as these tracks went down. Playing in Memphis you play these tunes a whole lot, and so to have your ear kind of bent by someone who is doing it is real rare, but immediately when we started doing these tracks Guy brought such life and energy to the songs that it really made them pop and come alive. One of the probably-one of the best versions I think that shows that is the version of I can't stand the rain, the Ann Peebles tune, which we just kind of got in a groove with Guy, as we were beginning recording of it and the recording went so quickly because everyone was so energized. And I think you hear that energy in that track.



Susan Marshall and Jackie, the BVs
Susan Marshall:

Hi hullo. My name is Susan Marshall. I was one of the background singers on the Guy Sebastian Memphis project, and it was great getting a phone call from Curry Weber, who was the engineer on the project, and he told me that Steve Cropper was going to be producing, and that was exciting for me because although I've met Mr Cropper before I've never got to work with him. So Jackie and I showed up to Ardent Studios, and we thought we were just going to be singing on maybe one or two songs, but I think they ended up liking the sound that Jackie and I had for backgrounds so we kept on. I think we ended up doing about eight songs all together. It was a lot of fun being in the studio with Steve, because in between songs, you know, we were here in one day doing all the vocals, and in between songs he would entertain us with stories. It was great, stories about the old days with him and Otis, Booker T & The Mgs stories. It was wonderful. We all had a really good laugh. But very surprised and pleased that Guy Sebastian has this amazing voice. Jackie and I kept looking at each other thinking, you know. He really sounds to me, just me personally, sounds to me like a mixture of Otis Redding, and um, just all of the um, trying to er(voice in backgroud: Liza Minelli?) Liza Ma- .... :lol: ....... no er he just has this old soul voice, there's, just like he's been around forever. Its kind of like, he sounds to me like someone plucked him out of the 1960's, 70's soul music, and transported him time wise to today's, you know music scene, and he adds this fresh wonderful new, you know, thing to all the songs. And basically its all the same thing you know, but he adds this freshness, a little twist to each song. Its a little bit different, and quite frankly kind of nice that he's putting Memphis music out there again, and getting people to notice what everybody, what the whole world came to love back then. So I think your going to like this new song, this new twist on an old song I should say. Why don't you take a listen to Respect yourself.

***************************************

Had a great time getting to meet him, and listen to all the songs he cut from the Memphis catalogue, as it were. One of the songs that Jackie Johnson and I sang background for was I'd Like To Get To Know You which was an original by Guy, and we really liked it. I think it has a really cool, er vibe that's kind of Memphisy, And I think you're going to like it too.

Susan has just cut her latest album - you can hear her fabulous voice on her myspace (and read her blogs)


These are in addition to those great blogs from Curry Weber, the engineer whom Guy loved working with

(PS...... I remember in one of the Soul Lounges Steve Cropper telling us a story about who had been there at the time of the story he was telling..... and he turned to Guy and said "and you were there too..." meaning, Guy must have been there somehow when all this original stuff was happening, surely!


(thanks to Adelaide fan for all the transcriptions)