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- Memphis vocalists Susan Marshall and Reba Russell are releasing their first featured collaboration together.
- The limited-edition 7-inch vinyl single features two songs recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Two release events are scheduled in Memphis, including a listening party and a concert.
After more than 30 years of recording and performing together, two of Memphis’ most respected and distinctive vocalists — Susan Marshall and Reba Russell — are putting themselves out front and center and together, with a new collaboration on a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl single.
Marshall and Russell will mark the occasion with a listening event and concert this week.
Here’s a closer look at the artists, their new release and upcoming events.
Who are Susan Marshall and Reba Russell?
For the past few decades, Marshall and Russell have been two of Memphis’ most in-demand backing vocalists, as well as acclaimed solo artists.
Working individually, but often together, Marshall and Russell have lent their vocal talents to hundreds of recordings. Marshall’s credits include projects with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lenny Kravitz, Lucinda Williams, Primal Scream and The Afghan Whigs. Russell has recorded with artists including U2, B.B. King, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Collective Soul and Huey Lewis.
Together, the pair have supported acts including Al Green, Don Bryant, The Mountain Goats and The Allman Betts Band, as well as worked on film soundtracks including the recent “Song Sung Blue.”
Is this their first featured release together?
Yes, for the first time, after decades of singing behind various stars, Marshall and Russell have recorded together as featured vocalists on a new single. The tracks were cut at Memphis’ Sam Phillips Recording Service during the COVID-19 pandemic and engineered and mixed by Grammy-winning producer Matt Ross-Spang.
The A-side of the single features the duo delivering a version of “Everything That’s True,” a tune by noted Memphis songwriter Rob Jungklas. The B-Side has Marshall and Russell offering up their interpretation of the Beatles’ “Across the Universe.”
The tracks feature an all-star cast of Memphis musicians backing the singers, including Clifford “Peewee” Jackson (drums/percussion), Sam Shoup (bass), Dr. Kimberly Patterson (cello) and Dr. Patrick Sutton (guitar). The project is a family affair, with the vinyl having been mastered and cut by Marshall’s husband, Jeff Powell of Take Out Vinyl, while the cover features an original painting by Russell’s husband, Memphis artist and musician Wayne Russell.
Instead of putting out the songs digitally, Marshall and Russell decided to do a limited run of vinyl singles that will be available locally this week. “In a time when art feels devalued and disposable, we wanted to make something tangible,” Marshall said in a statement announcing the project. “A record you can hold, look at, and really hear what we feel.”
Will there be a release event?
Yes, they will have two release events, in fact.
Marshall and Russell will celebrate their collaboration with a special event at 6 p.m. April 23 at the Memphis Listening Lab inside Crosstown Concourse. The program — which is free and open to the public — will be hosted by Grammy Award–winning writer and Memphis music historian Robert Gordon. Marshall and Russell will discuss the artists they’ve recorded with and projects they’ve worked on over the years. They will also debut their new single, which will be available for sale at the Listening Lab.
Then, on April 25, Marshall and Russell will play a special concert at B-Side, located in the Minglewood Hall complex. They will be backed by Adam Holton and Logan Hanna for a show that is set for 4-7 p.m. Cover for the B-Side gig is $10 at the door. Records will also be available at the show.
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