Being signed to the long-running, premier blues and roots label, Alligator, is the ultimate goal for so many bands. The family band from Memphis, Southern Avenue, has attained that goal and is as natural a fit as any. The ‘sister band’ now includes not just two but three gospel-raised Jackson sisters with newcomer Ava, who sings and plays violin, joining lead vocalist Tierinii and drummer Tikyra, aka “TK.” They, along with original founding member and Israeli-born guitarist Ori Naftaly form the core of the band. In this album of fourteen originals, they are joined by Jeremy Powell on keys, with Blake Rhea and Luther Dickinson sharing bass duties. If you’ve had the fortune of seeing the band perform live, you’ll likely agree that they are not to be missed. Now with Ava in the group, their sound is even stronger, rooted in three-part vocal harmonies, and her violin adds another dimension to their guitar-driven sound.
Tapped by many as a modern-day Staples Singers, that comparison is not far-fetched. Consider that the three sisters, along with their other siblings, their father on guitar, and their mother on organ, made up their church band. These girls were raised strictly on gospel music and weren’t allowed to even listen to secular music until they reached their late teens. Once unleashed, Tierinii and Tikyra began performing “Memphis music,” a blend of soul, gospel, and hill country blues that caught the attention of Naftaly, who had witnessed their live show while competing in Memphis with his Israeli band in the International Blues Challenge. Naftaly joined them, collaborating on three albums with the two sisters and eventually marrying Tierinii. Southern Avenue has been a major force now for over a decade.
Family is the prototypical Memphis record. The band recorded at the famous Royal Studios (Al Green, Ann Peebles) and was produced by Grammy winner John Burk (Ray Charles, George Benson, Melissa Etheridge). Besides, the legendary producer and engineer Boo Mitchell recorded and mixed the album. Southern Avenue more than lives up to those hallowed Memphis traditions in an album that is relentlessly joyous throughout. If that sounds too hyperbolic, check out the YouTube video for the single “Upside” and you’ll see the exuberance that they bring to their music.
The album is essentially autobiographical, beginning with the rousing opener “Long Is The Road,” which has the band celebrating the status they have achieved from rather humble beginnings as simply a Memphis band. Family also nods to the unlikely pairing of Naftaly with these three Black women. In his words,”Family is the story of how we found each other, held on through the highs and lows, and built something stronger than we ever imagined.” Those warm emotions course through “Found a Friend In You.” Writing credits mostly list Tierinii, Tikyra, and Naftaly as collaborators on most songs, with all but two running less than four minutes, as if geared for those halcyon days of radio singles. You’ll hear the infectious three-part harmonies throughout, but most vividly on “So Much Love,” which also features a crisp guitar solo. Three of the tracks, such as the title track, “Believe”, and “Kept On Moving On” run for less than a minute, serving almost as interludes. They are practically a cappella rendered, offering a much-needed respite from the driving tempo that characterizes most of, arguably too many, of the songs.
Even when they’re not in a familial emotional state of mind, fun songs like “Late Night Get Down” and “Rum Boogie” (named for the Beale Street club), they bring an impossibly captivating pulse to the music. “Gotta Keep the Love” brings a touch of funk while “Sisters” has touches of Hill Country blues. Not surprisingly, Luther Dickinson is one of the writing collaborators. “Flying” is so determinedly exuberant that it practically jumps out of the speakers. The reflective closer, “We Are,” comes closest to a slower, ballad tempo, but it too evolves into a stomper, with Dickinson again contributing to the writing.
This music may not be ostensibly gospel, but the sisters have that in their DNA. It’s undoubtedly a balm for your spirits and as uplifting as uplifting gets.
