It’s difficult to believe Beverley Knight is only 43 years old. Her anthemic hits of the nineties and noughties – Flavour Of The Old School, Shoulda Woulda Coulda and Greatest Day to name but a few, make it feel as if she’s been around for an eternity.
Not satisfied with conquering the soul, funk and RnB scene alone, she’s shown immense talent on stage and managed to carve out a successful career in the West End too – garnering rave reviews for appearances in musicals The Bodyguard and Cats.
After a five year hiatus from making her own music however, she’s back to her first love and clearly means business. Somewhat ironically, it’s her time in the land of musicals that supplied the inspiration for her latest offering, Soulsville. During a spell in Memphis, Tennessee researching for the lead role of Felicia Farrell in the show Memphis the Musical, she immersed herself in everything to do with the southern American scene. Listeners will be thankful for her trip across the pond, as the results are superb.
Just few seconds into Middle of Love, the opener of the twelve track album, and it’s obvious Beverley’s inimitable style has only improved during her time away. Fans will know her big, soul-belting voice anywhere, rich and absolutely made for the style of music she does so well.
The album is a spectacular mix of covers and new material. Cover versions may be exactly that but are still very much her own – I Can’t Stand The Rain is a far and much funkier cry from Memphis soul singer Ann Peebles’ version, and Tina Turner’s later take on the soul classic.
She’s not scrimping on her big name collaborations on the new album either, with Jamie Cullum and Jools Holland popping up in the journey through Soulsville. RnB legend and Memphis native Sam Moore duets on the final and perhaps the best track, an infectious version of his very own Hold on, I’m Coming.
Soulsville doesn’t disappoint and is the perfect demonstration of Beverley’s timeless but evolving talent. Twenty years in the business and she shows no sign of going stale or caving in today’s identikit soul and RnB trends. It seems her time away making music has given her a renewed energy. Let’s hope there’s plenty more to come.
By Lindsay Narey
@LinzeeN
