​Mike Farris (from the album The Sound of Muscle Shoals

​Mike Farris (from the album The Sound of Muscle Shoals

​Mike Farris (from the album The Sound of Muscle Shoals on Fame Enterprises, Inc/Mike Farris) (by Brian Rock)
 
Mike Farris captures the electrifying sound of Muscle Shoals on his aptly titled new album, The Sound of Muscle Shoals. Invoking the name of such a mythical, music mecca in your album title is a bold move; but Farris delivers with all the hallmarks of classic sixties Soul. He checks all the boxes: dynamic vocals, pulsing Hammond organ, funky guitar riffs, backing Gospel-inspired vocals, and that intangible quality that just touches your heart.
 
“Ease On” rattles the rafters from the very first notes. Ascending Hammond organ notes build tension until joined by a rock-steady drumbeat and funky lead guitar riffs. Recalling his roots, Farris sings ‘it’s a long, long journey from where we began’. The driving rhythms propel the song forward as Farris reveals ‘ignorance is sometimes its own reward. Mama never told us we were poor’. The tone of the music fills in some of the lyrical gaps. Despite being financially poor, there was family and love in abundance. Having worked his way out of poverty, Mike Farris feels a pull to ‘ease on your way back home’. The chorus has a dual meaning. His life is easier now and he can return to his old home by choice rather than necessity. But it was his emotional/spiritual home that eased the pain of his youth and helped give him the foundation he needed to achieve success. Capturing the same exuberance as Michael Jackson’s take on The Wiz cut “Ease on Down the Road”, this song likewise offers comfort and encouragement for those trying to make their way in the world.
Mike Farris keeps the Soul stirring vibes flowing on the passionate “Her”, the pleading, “Before There Was You & I”, the comforting “Sunset Road”, and the mournful “Bird in the Rain”. Singing about love, loss, and life, Farris (and his talented band, including legendary Muscle Shoals session musicians (Clayton Ivey, Will McFarlane, Kelvin Holly, Wes Sheffield, Jimbo Hart, and Justin Holder) creates songs that both touch your heart and move your feet. Farris’ voice brings each note to life with the intensity of Nick Waterhouse and the authenticity of Solomon Burke. A true student of the genre, Mike Farris, captures the essence of Soul music.
Slowing things down a bit, Mike Farris does a soulful take on Tom Petty’s “Swingin’”. He adds a Bluesy flair to “I’ll Come Runnin’”. He taps his Gospel roots on the inspirational, “Slow Train”. He builds to a slow burning crescendo on the power ballad “Learning to Love.” Observing how we often make things more difficult than they need to be, he sings ‘I’m learning how to fly, but there were times when I would burn my own wings and curse the sky’. Mike Farris’ voice conveys both the pain of failed relationships and the determination to get it right next time. he even adds touches of Outlaw Country to “Heavy on the Humble”, and the steel guitar laced “Bright Lights”. Recorded at the legendary FAME studios, The Sound of Muscle Shoals is exactly that. Somewhere above us, FAME founder, Rich Hall is nodding his approval. (by Brian Rock)
Listen and buy the music of Mike Farris from AMAZON
Visit the Mike Farris website for more information