Served Best With Ribs And Beans
Facts
Live On Beale Street
Recordings
Memphis-based guitarist, singer and songwriter Preston Shannon delivers soul-filled vocals atop his burning, venom-tipped guitar chords. His voice is deep and guttural, and he's a veteran of hundreds of live club shows and recording sessions as a sideman. Shannon's specialty is a blend of Southern-fried soul and blues, and his albums and live shows -- always with a horn section -- are an eclectic mix of danceable, grooving tunes and slow, soulful ballads.
Born in Olive Branch, Mississippi, Shannon's family moved to Memphis when he was eight. Although his Pentecostal parents didn't initially accept his fascination with blues music, they eventually did when they saw how serious he was about pursuing the music for his livelihood. Shannon served as a member of a popular 1970s bar band, Amnesty, and played in a succession of other Memphis-area bands while working by day for a hardware company. Finally, he decided to play music full time when he landed a spot in soul-blues belter Shirley Brown's band. It wasn't until 1991 that he put together his own band and began playing the clubs on Beale Street and other places. In the early 1990s, he was discovered playing in a Beale Street blues club by producer/keyboardist Ron Levy, who brought Shannon's talents to the attention of executives at Rounder Records. Shortly afterwards, in 1994, his first widely distributed recording was issued on the label.
Shannon has recorded two albums for the Rounder Bullseye Blues subsidiary, Break the Ice (1994) and Midnight In Memphis (1996). Both albums more than adequately showcase his talents as a singer who can alternate between uptempo, gospel-inspired numbers and slower, soulful love songs and ballads. Shannon's guitar playing contains echoes of the Kings, Albert and B.B., T-Bone Walker, and some of the rhythmic sensibilities of Little Milton Campbell. Of the two albums, Midnight In Mempis is just a bit more eclectic; the mix of styles made it a radio-ready record for blues and soul stations in the South. For many years a homebody who couldn't be heard much outside the Memphis city limits, Shannon has done some road work in recent years, traveling to blues festivals around the U.S. Richard Skelly (All-Music Guide).
In May 1998 I traveled to Memphis and hoped to see some big names and great live music. Expectations were high when we set our feet for the first time on this historic ground. Because we arrived on monday and planned to be in town until friday we missed the weekend with the full schedule of national artist. So there were not many people and not all clubs had live music. On tuesday we headed for the Blues City Cafe.
The band wasn't expected before 11 p.m. so we had time to taste the famous spare ribs they serve at the restaurant inside the club. With a half rack of spiced ribs with cole slaw and beans and a pitcher of bud were we ready for the show...
'Around midnight - that's my favorite time' are the words of one of Shannon's songs and it really was midnight when Preston entered the stage. Backed by his band including a section he got into the night with a whole bunch of rocking soul and blues tunes. Supported by bass, drums, organ and sax Preston did mostly covers (a shame when know you the great songs on his CDs, at that time I didn't know). With tunes like 'Mustang Sally', 'Ain't no sunshine' and even 'Purple Rain' he started a party and many people - black and white - danced near the stage. The band created a really excited atmosphere with everyone laughing and the performance was very tight - fat organ and swinging sax - backed by a funky rythym section. And in the center Shannon's deep pushing voice and not very much lead guitar.
Preston recorded his three highly acclaimed albums on the Bullseye Label (http://www.rounder.com). Shannon made guest appearances on several albums, too.
 produced by Ron Levy |
1. Trouble 2. Break The Ice 3. You're The One 4. Have Your Woman Ever Loved You So Good 5. I Got Everything I Need 6. Beale Street Boogaloo 7. Put A Dollar In Your Pocket 8. Forty Days And Forty Nights 9. Lookin' For A Love 10. I Got Somebody 11. Crosscut Saw 12. You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone Preston Shannon: lead guitar, vocals Billy Ross: organ Archie Turner: piano Stephen Hines: bass, background vocals Claude Franklin: drums Wayne Jackson: trombone, trumpet Andrew Love: saxophone Lynn Hines: percussion, background vocals Rusty McFarland: percussion, background vocals Darby Hicks, Jr.: percussion, background vocals |
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 produced by Willie Mitchell & Ron Levy recorded April 1996 released 16th April 1997 |
1. Round Midnight 2. Baby I Will 3. Size 12 Shoes 4. Nobody's Fool 5. The Feeling Is Gone 6. The Clock 7. The Streets Will Love You To Death 8. Honky Tonk 9. Take Your Time 10. Can't Lose What You Never Had 11. Handee Man 12. Midnight In Memphis 56:15 minutes Preston Shannon: lead guitar, vocals |
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 produced by Willie Mitchell recorded February 1999 at Royal Studio, Memphis |
1. Just Between Me And
My Woman 2. Tired OF The Ghetto Bringing Me Down 3. Are You In The Mood? 4. Jail Of Love 5. That's The Way I Feel About Cha 6. Wrapped Up Tied Up 7. Welfare Woman 8. Your Good Thang Just Broke Bad 9. Be With Me Tonight 10. Purple Rain 11. Cold Beer Good Time 46:38 minutes Preston Shannon: lead guitar, vocals Thomas Bingham: guitar Lester Snell: keyboards Leroy Hodges: bass Steve Potts: drums Jim Spake: tenor sax James Mitchell: baritone sax Scott Thompson: trumpet Jack Hall Sr.: trombone Bertram Brown, William Brown, Mashaa: background vocals |
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