Mike Farris: The Sound of Muscle Shoals Review

Mike Farris is back. It’s been eight years since he released his last album, Silver & Stone, but for fans, it’s definitely been worth the wait. And for anyone looking for a new soulful experience, his new album, The Sound of Muscle Shoals, is a must-have.

The new album includes eleven songs with nine originals and two covers. Recorded at Fame Studios Muscle Shoals, AL, it combines a powerful R&B sound with country ballads and gospel but is bound to have a wide appeal through Farris’ strong vocals that remind us of the late great Sam Moore.

Throughout the record, there are recurring autobiographical themes relating to Farris’ home of Franklin County, Tennessee within hours of music meccas Nashville, Memphis and, of course, Muscle Shoals. Conversely, there’s a recurring theme of a desire to keep moving. But it’s also steeped in the joys and sorrows of love. Each song is a genuine story told and is bound to create emotional responses from most listeners.

Farris said, “I just do what I do. The album is a reflection of the Shoals sound but it’s also fresh. The music that has come out of Shoals, and continues to, is super diverse with a huge spectrum of music and styles that came from the Swampers and all the incarnations at Shoals.”

The opening track, and first single off the album, “Ease On,” provides the perfect anchor to Farris’ desire to get back home and to record, bringing in the lessons he’s learned along the way. It’s fun and upbeat and destined to be a hit.

Farris conceded this album has been a long time coming and the time was filled with some frustration in finding a new record label.

“It’s what I believe is the best record of my entire career.” That career includes a Grammy for best Gospel R&B song and a stint with rock group Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies.

“I have an amazing friend, Rodney Hall, who called me and said, ‘Come down here and record an album.’ He trusted I had the songs and believed in me. Let’s capture the moment, he said.”

Farris is confident the album won’t be pigeon-holed as one musical genre or another. “True music people love anything that’s good and pure and has the potential to connect on a human level. Those are the people I’m targeting, who have a broad spectrum of musical taste,” he says.

The second track, “Heavy On The Humble,” is an ode to the support and love of a good woman, featuring an acoustic backing and a nice country-ballad feel. Nick Govrik and Theodore Alan Siegel share writing credits with Farris. While the third track is a cover of a Tom Petty song, “Swingin’” manages to combine the traveling theme with meeting a strong woman along the journey. It keeps the moody feel of the original but with a fresh arrangement and strong, skillful vocals, Farris brings new life to the song.

The fourth song on the album, credited to Farris and James Leblanc, is entitled, “I’ll Come Runnin’,” which relies less on storytelling than the other tunes but carries the love theme with pledges of undying support through a catchy refrain. This song, like all the others, includes top-notch musicianship from the band and contains heartfelt tune and lyrics.

The next track is “Bird in the Rain,” and Farris told BRR that this one is not autobiographical. “Bird in the Rain came out of nowhere and was more of a fictional story,” he said. The lyrics are clever, tying together emotional uncertainty with stormy weather. Beginning with keys, it slides into a nice percussive beat before unfolding with full guitar and keyboard sound.

“Slow Train” includes an obvious return to the theme of traveling. The song was written by William Bell and Steve Cropper, so Farris manages to create a tie to Stax Records, another iconic studio. It features terrific background vocals and an unmistakable gospel root.

The seventh track is entitled “Bright Lights,” and it, too, tells a story of travel. This time it recounts the musician’s quest for success “heading for the bright lights.” It features the most distinct country flavor on the album with lap steel and an infectious chorus.

Farris felt a need to return to his roots at Muscle Shoals. “I think this record represents Muscle Shoals. That thing that they have down there is still alive and well. To me, I couldn’t have made this record anywhere else with a sound like this.” And he added, “This was by far the easiest and best recording experience of my career and I’ve been around a long time. It was a lot of fun.”

But he also conceded his urge to travel is also strong and definitely autobiographical.

“We’re gypsies, my family, and some of the record reflects on that as well as the ups and downs and give and take. We get to be free; that’s the up side of approaching life the way we do. On the other hand, you lose out on security to some extent. You’re better to agree with it rather than fight it and accept this is how it is,” he said.

The next three offerings are moving songs that, taken together, create a sub-theme of their own, incorporating a new kind of travel as the singer moves through the stages of love.

“Learning To Love” is about almost missing out on it completely and final understanding. It gives Farris a chance to highlight his range with a strong backing by steel guitar and drums. Will McFarlane shares the writing credits. “Her” praises the love of a good woman and it also contains a catchy chorus and strong guitar. “Before There Was You And I” reflects on the void eventually filled by the love of a supportive woman. It challenges Farris with a vocal range that recalls his rock and roll days. It also contains a writing credit to McFarlane.

The final track, “Sunset Road,” manages to cement both love and travel themes with the understanding that it’s the journey and not the destination that is most important. It also combines a catchy chorus with memorable tune, a nice instrumental break and soothing background vocals.

Farris provided lead vocals on all tracks and he had high praise for the entire team there including Executive Producer Rodney Hall and musicians:

Clayton Ivey, keys, Will McFarlane, Wes Sheffield, and Kelvin Holly, guitars, Jimbo Hart, bass, Justin Holder, drums, Philippe Bronchtein, steel guitar, Brad Guin, saxophones, Drew White, trumpet and back up vocalists Wendy Moten, Kevin Clayborn, Lashanda Evans, Cindy Walker, and Angela Hacker

The Review: 8.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Bird in the Rain
– I’ll Come Runnin’
– Bright Lights
– Sunset Road
– Ease On

The Big Hit

– Ease On