Amy Black
9-29-2016 (Ballroom)
American Songwriter Magazine called Amy Black “powerful, authentic, talented and above all soulful,” and Blues in Britain wrote, “Black is blessed with a deeply soulful voice that melds elements of Dusty Springfield, Mavis Staples and Alberta Hunter.” And the Philadelphia Inquirer calls her, “an appealing cross between Bonnie Raitt and Mary Chapin Carpenter.”
Currently living in Nashville after moving from her long-time home in Boston, Amy is known for original songs and inspired interpretations of classics, all influenced by southern tradition, soulful vocals and a heartfelt live performances.
For Amy, Muscle Shoals, Alabama, has always held a special magic. Her parents were born there, and some of her fondest memories were made during frequent visits to both sets of grandparents. Black remembers passing FAME Studios often; it was right on the main drag. But she had no awareness then of its musical history or impact, much less any inkling that she’d wind up making music her career. Little could she know that one day, a session with the legendary Muscle Shoals keyboardist Spooner Oldham would launch her on a journey of discovery that would give her an even deeper connection with a place she loves. She fell so in love - and felt so at home - with the sweet soul music he’d helped craft decades before, she expanded an original EP into "The Muscle Shoals Sessions," her third solo release (June 9, 2015).
Recording the album at FAME, Black never fails to nail the spot where gospel, blues and R&B collide, and transform into soul. Inspired by Etta James, Mavis Staples, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin and so many others who recorded some of modern music’s most iconic songs in this little Alabama hamlet, Black’s project pays homage to magic made at both FAME and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, as well as to her beloved grandparents, and the cherished memories she carries of childhood sojourns.
Black returns to the Bull Run, one of the first Boston area venues she played when starting her career, for a special intimate performance of her original music, as well as the songs from the Muscle Shoals Sessions album.
American Songwriter Magazine called Amy Black “powerful, authentic, talented and above all soulful,” and Blues in Britain wrote, “Black is blessed with a deeply soulful voice that melds elements of Dusty Springfield, Mavis Staples and Alberta Hunter.” And the Philadelphia Inquirer calls her, “an appealing cross between Bonnie Raitt and Mary Chapin Carpenter.”
Currently living in Nashville after moving from her long-time home in Boston, Amy is known for original songs and inspired interpretations of classics, all influenced by southern tradition, soulful vocals and a heartfelt live performances.
For Amy, Muscle Shoals, Alabama, has always held a special magic. Her parents were born there, and some of her fondest memories were made during frequent visits to both sets of grandparents. Black remembers passing FAME Studios often; it was right on the main drag. But she had no awareness then of its musical history or impact, much less any inkling that she’d wind up making music her career. Little could she know that one day, a session with the legendary Muscle Shoals keyboardist Spooner Oldham would launch her on a journey of discovery that would give her an even deeper connection with a place she loves. She fell so in love - and felt so at home - with the sweet soul music he’d helped craft decades before, she expanded an original EP into "The Muscle Shoals Sessions," her third solo release (June 9, 2015).
Recording the album at FAME, Black never fails to nail the spot where gospel, blues and R&B collide, and transform into soul. Inspired by Etta James, Mavis Staples, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin and so many others who recorded some of modern music’s most iconic songs in this little Alabama hamlet, Black’s project pays homage to magic made at both FAME and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, as well as to her beloved grandparents, and the cherished memories she carries of childhood sojourns.
Black returns to the Bull Run, one of the first Boston area venues she played when starting her career, for a special intimate performance of her original music, as well as the songs from the Muscle Shoals Sessions album.