Texas And American Songwriter-Pianist Spooner Oldham Announce Joint LP 'The Muscle Shoals Sessions'
Monday, 12 February 2024
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Clyde Gates
Texas have teamed up with Spooner Oldham for a joint album.
The Scottish band and American songwriter and pianist recorded 'The Muscle Shoals Sessions' during the summer of 2022 at the legendary Fame Recording Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
It's due out on March 29 via [PIAS] and features 12 stripped back, reimagined Texas songs, as well as minimal covers of Would I Lie To You by Charles and Eddie, and Save The Last Dance by The Drifters. On working with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Texas vocalist Sharleen Spiteri said:
"To have the option to go to Muscle Shoals to record was like being a little kid in a sweet shop. Working with Spooner was inspiring, fun and he’s just a wonderful human being. The fact that Northern Soul music has been such a massive influence for Texas made the fit with Spooner just right. Him writing Keep On Talking was essential to us recording it for this album."
On reworking the tracks for the LP, Spiteri continued: "To reimagine the classics and break them down so you hear the clarity in the lyrics - it may give you a different take and a different feeling on these songs. It’s just vocal and a piano with some beautiful backing - all recorded live. I think you’re going to get something quite different from what you will have heard on the original versions."
As a preview, check out the tracks Would I Lie to You and Say What You Want below, which are given a new country-soul dimension with Oldham's delicate piano lines.
In September, Texas will embark on a previously scheduled UK arena tour, which spans nine dates and opens with a newly confirmed Hull concert at Connexin Live on September 3. Support on all dates will come from KT Tunstall.
Tickets for the new show go on general sale at 10am on Friday (February 16). All other dates are on sale now.
'The Muscle Shoals Sessions' tracklist:
1. Halo (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
2. Mr Haze (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
3. Summer Son (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
4. Say What You Want (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
5. Keep On Talking (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
6. The Conversation (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
7. In Demand (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
8. Would I Lie To You (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
9. Let’s Work It (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
10. Black Eyed Boy (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
11. Everyday Now (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
12. I Don’t Want A Lover (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
13. In Our Lifetime (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
14. Save The Last Dance (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
NEW // DOUBLE the lovely surprises from the @texastheband camp today!🎊
Not only have they announced a new album in the shape of 'The Muscle Shoals Sessions', but they've also added a Hull date to their greatest hits tour in September!
Tue September 03 2024 - HULL Connexin Live [NEW]
Thu September 05 2024 - LONDON O2 Arena
Fri September 06 2024 - LEEDS first direct Arena
Sat September 07 2024 - LIVERPOOL M&S Bank Arena
Tue September 10 2024 - BOURNEMOUTH BIC
Wed September 11 2024 - CARDIFF Utilita Arena Cardiff
Fri September 13 2024 - BIRMINGHAM Utilita Arena Birmingham
Sat September 14 2024 - GLASGOW OVO Hydro
Sun September 15 2024 - GLASGOW OVO Hydro
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