finetune artist: Mem Shannon

b. 1959, New Orleans, USA. As an amateur blues singer he discovered plenty of musical opportunities in the region, occasionally adding guitar and sometimes clarinet accompaniment to impromptu bar-room sessions. The city's music circuit of that time demanded singers capable of copycat renditions of standards such as "Hoochie Coochie Man" and "Dust My Broom" rather than contemporary interpreters, but Shannon happily performed this function in bar bands and the occasional gospel group for several years while nurturing his own songwriting in private. However, when his father (also named Mem) died in 1981, Shannon was suddenly expected to become the household breadwinner. He put aside his music for nearly a decade while supporting the family as a taxi driver. Eventually, in 1990, he established his own group around a collective of musicians known as the Membership. Contributors included Peter Carter (bass), Barry Thomas (drums), Jackie Banks (keyboards) and Lance Ellis and Tim Green on saxophones. In 1991 they appeared in the Jazz Search contest organized by a New Orleans television station, before travelling to California to appear at the Long Beach Blues Festival. Later, saxophone player Green introduced Shannon to producer Mark Bingham. Together they recorded 10 songs, linked by studio dialogue, as the basis for A Cab Driver's Blues. Ranging from the comic domestic conflict of "My Baby's Been Watching TV" to the incessant funk of "Boogie Man", it was an inspirational achievement. Due to have been released on Bingham's regional label Gert Town, it was eventually housed on Joe Boyd's Hannibal Records. The title wryly reflected Shannon's long spell in the musical wilderness, which, given the evidence of his songwriting, was a substantial loss to the blues idiom. Mem Shannon's 2nd Blues Album was released in 1997, and built on the first by embracing southern soul alongside regular blues. Shannon's gorgeously fruity voice is exquisite, with shades of Brook Benton and Billy Eckstine - further confirmation of an immense vocal, guitar and songwriting talent. His third album was released by Shanachie Records in February 1999 but surprisingly still failed to break him beyond his small fanbase. Mem Shannon continues to patiently wait to "happen".

Listen to Mem Shannon at Finetune.

17.00 Brunette
Taxicab Driver
Blues Is Back
5th Ward Horseman
Chantelle

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