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Fried Glass Onions: Memphis Meets The Beatles, Vol. 2 on CD

John Kilzer recorded "Across The Universe" for FGO Volume I. A Lennon fan to the core, John was enthusiastic about recording "Glass Onion." This version has a Hi Records feel and a nod to guitarist Teenie Hodges, who played on hundreds of songs from the Hi Records catalog. Dave Smith, guilty of this groove, is this track's MVP. Having Steve Potts on drums for this session gives it the grease it needed. Glass Onion-John Kilzer John Kilzer: lead vocal; Dave Smith: rhythm & bass guitar; Steve Selvidge: lead guitar; Joe Boogie: B-3 organ; Tom Link: saxophone; Steve Potts: drums; background vocals: Z-Da Still, Freddie Kirksey, Charles Ponder, Eddie Harrison, Jackie Johnson & Dave Smith Produced by Dave Smith, Eddie Dattel & Kevin Houston People are still talking about Charlie Wood's remarkable version of "Happiness Is A Warm Gun" from FGO Volume I. Actually, "Back In The USSR" was recorded around the same time, but was saved for this release. Charlie changes the groove on this familiar Beatles tune and twists it into a Memphis blues thing. His ad lib takes the song to another level altogether. It's a brilliant perspective given the current political climate. Back In The USSR-Charlie Wood Charlie Wood: lead/background vocals, Hammond B-3 organ, Wurlitzer electric piano, pedal bass, guitar & drums. Lucy Hathcote: background vocals and saxophone Recorded, mixed and produced at Daddy-O by Charlie Wood. Remixed by Kevin Houston at Inside Sounds Gary Johns' voice is heard on thousands of television and radio jingles. He is one of Memphis' most distinctive singers. "I Wanna Be Your Man" was recorded live in the studio in order to create an environment that would mesh with Gary's intimate vocal style. It's quite different from Ringo's 1964 recording. The Rolling Stones also recorded this song in 1963''it was a hit in the UK. I Wanna Be Your Man-Gary Johns Gary Johns: vocal, Steve Selvidge: guitar; Jonathan Wires: acoustic bass; Joe Boogie: B-3 organ; Ross Rice: drums Produced by Eddie Dattel & Ross Rice Eddie Harrison and Bob Simon's Stax influenced version of "Two Of Us" was the opening track for FGO Volume I. I remember reading something Ringo had said about how much Paul sounds like Elvis on "Lady Madonna." Stylistically, The Beatles version was undeniably Southern. For our twist, the funk element is very pronounced and the piano less prominent. Billy Gibson's harmonica solo adds another dynamic element. As far as Eddie Harrison is concerned, now there's a singer... Lady Madonna-Eddie Harrison Eddie Harrison: lead vocal; Malcolm Cullen: guitar; Rob Haines: keyboard, Dave Smith: bass; Joe Boogie: B-3 organ; Robert Hall: drums; Reni Simon: background vocals At the time of this writing, Billy Gibson is #16 on the national blues radio chart for his The Billy Gibson Band CD release. He has become one of the most recognized harmonica players in blues music. He's also a distinctive singer who easily flows from blues to jazz to funk. "For You Blue" is performed by his Beale Street band, whose stripped-down version of George Harrison's twelve-bar blues is a moody, Memphis funk, love confession. For You Blue-Billy Gibson Billy Gibson: lead vocal/harmonica; David Bowen: guitars; James Jackson: bass; Cedrick Keel: drums; background vocals: Kelley Hurt & Jackie Johnson Produced by The Billy Gibson Band Dani is another artist who appeared on FGO Volume I. Only seventeen years old at the time of it's release, "Old Brown Shoe" was a favorite among radio programmers. Now eighteen, we thought Dani was up to the challenge of interpreting what is often considered one of Paul McCartney's greatest moments as a singer. While "Oh! Darling" is similar to The Beatles' arrangement, Dani's vocal approach is creative and up-to-the-brim with emotion. She performs this song live and audiences go nuts. Oh! Darling-Dani Dani: lead vocal; Zak Mack: guitars; Ross Rice: bass; Jock Copeland: acoustic grand piano; Joe Boogie: B-3 organ; Jeremy Smith: drums; background vocals: Zak Mack & Ross Rice Produced by Ross Rice I'll admit, "Martha My Dear" sounds more like New Orleans than Memphis. Then again, Dixieland Jazz was popular up and down the Mississippi. Although Memphis is not known for it's Dixieland today, Beale Street once sounded a lot like this. In fact, the instrumentation of W.C. Handy's Memphis Blues Band was almost identical to what you're hearing on this bouncy tune. I think Sir Paul would approve! Martha My Dear''The Beale Street Syncopators Gerald Stephens: acoustic grand piano, Carl Wolfe: clarinet; Neal Bowen: tuba; Jason Yasinsky: trombone; E.J. Dyce: trumpet; Lloyd Rainey: banjo; Ross Rice: washboard; Earl Lowe: drums Arranged by Gerald Stephens Z-Da is what I like to think of as a secret weapon. Without a doubt, she is one of Memphis' great singers. A veteran of Beale Street since her teenage years, she tours some and also performs at B.B. King's on Beale Street. "Why Don't We Do It In The Road" was recorded live in the studio with Z-Da shrieking and shouting like a voodoo child. I'm sorry you couldn't have been there, but we saved some of it for you... Why Don't We Do It In The Road-Z-Da Z-Da Still: vocals; Dave Smith: bass; Brad Webb: guitars; Steve Potts: drums Produced by Eddie Dattel & Dave Smith I've heard several moving interpretations of John Lennon's beautiful "In My Life," but this one tears me up. Charles Ponder's warm, soulful voice backed with Malcolm Cullen's engaging arrangement is a striking combination. There is such an intimacy about this recording. I hope a million people get a chance to hear this one. In My Life-Charles Ponder Charles Ponder: vocal; Malcolm Cullen: guitar; Graylon Brown: bass; Joe Boogie: keyboard; Terry Saffold: drums Arranged by Malcolm Cullen At six minutes and twenty-one seconds, "Here, There, Everywhere" may not be the radio cut, but The Memphis All Stars have taken this McCartney ballad to another level. Just listen to Robert Clayborne's soaring vocal and tell me if you can imagine anything more soulful than this. If you can, please write to Inside Sounds and I will personally refund the cost of this CD. Enough said. Here, There, Everywhere-The Memphis All Stars The Memphis All Stars Robert Clayborne: lead vocal & piano; Greg Reding: guitar/vocals; Tommy Cathy: bass/vocals; Walter White: drums/vocals; Charlie Wood: Hammond B-3 organ "Glass Onion Reprise" was recorded at the same time as "Glass Onion" with the same musicians and singers. It is not an edit. See track 1 for specific credits. A lot of albums I bought in high school included a "Play At Maximum Volume" notice somewhere near the credits. If you really turn-up "All You Need Is Love" it's bound to make you feel good. After nearly seventy CD releases since 1993, this track is one of the best we've done at Inside Sounds. From the beautiful intro featuring Jackie Johnson to the explosive gospel jam at the end of the song, Dave Smith's abilities as producer and musician shine. All of the vocals were recorded in one day, beginning with an afternoon session and continuing into the evening. This song represents the culmination of our vision''it celebrates the amazing pool of talent for which Memphis is known and honors the most influential band in pop music history. As artists, The Beatles pushed the creative envelope and delved into new realms both musically and culturally. In many ways, "All You Need Is Love" represents all of the positive qualities The Beatles shared more than any other song they recorded. It is the perfect ending for Fried Glass Onions''Memphis Meets The Beatles Vol. 2 and a testament to the many talented Memphis artists who gave so much to this project. All You Need Is Love''Memphis Meets The Beatles Studio Band Charles Ponder, Jackie Johnson, Robert Clayborne and Z-Da: lead vocalists; Malcolm Cullen: electric rhythm & lead guitars; Dave Smith: acoustic guitar & bass; Robert Clayborne: piano & tambourine; Joe Simmons: organ; Steve Potts: drums; Richie Hale: saxophone; Dedrick Davis: trumpet; Keith Soltys: flute; Jamie Stephens: cello; Background vocals: Dave Smith, Jackie Johnson, Freddie Kirksey Special thanks to the gospel choir Joy For The Soul: Shirley Patterson, Alisa Nave, Helen Lewis, Regenia Nave, Carita Reaves & Eddie Harrison.