Mem Shannon Albums (6)
'Live: A Night at Tipitina's'
Release Date 7/10/2007
Tracks 10
Label Northern Blues
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
A soulful singer who also plays passionate and highly expressive guitar, Mem Shannon performs New Orleans funk and bluesy R&B. Having been a cab driver for 15 years, he knows a lot about human nature and his observations are often heard in his lyrics. While "Payin' My Dues," "No Religion" and "I Won't Back Down" are insightful, it is the touching "All I Have" (about losing virtually everything during Hurricane Katrina) that has the most memorable lyrics. The final two selections, "Voodoo" and "Phunkville," put the emphasis on the instrumentalists who get opportunities to stretch out. A stimulating set. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'I'm From Phunkville'
Release Date 4/19/2005
Tracks 13
Label Northern Blues
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
For his fifth album, Mem Shannon continues the mix of funk -- well, soul, really -- and blues that's been his trademark. Along with his own work, he turns in a delightful, heartfelt and bluesy cover of "Eleanor Rigby" that does full justice to the song and adds a tasty midnight-tenor sax solo from Jason Mingledorff. On the way to that cut, there's plenty of meat, like the opener, "The Reason" and "Perfect World," both of which bring political overtones to soul, and the humorous "I'll Kiss a Pitbull" whose spoken opening harks bark to the quiet storm years of soul music in the 1980s. Shannon doesn't exercise his powerful guitar chops a huge amount on this disc, but at this stage he doesn't need to; a decade into his recording career he has nothing to prove. But when he does crank it up, as on "No Religion," it's obvious he means every note. Instead, it's his singing that's front and center, and he's never sounded better, with more depth and resonance in that warm voice. The closer, "We Going," has his guitar sounding more than a little like B.B. King, his most obvious blues influence, but the horns give the whole piece a Memphis swing and he leaves on a good workout. Once again, Shannon hits the bullseye. ~ Chris Nickson, All Music Guide
'Memphis in the Morning'
Release Date 5/8/2001
Tracks 12
Label Shanachie
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Mem Shannnon has come a long way from his days working as a cab driver. Six years after giving up his hack license, Shannon has four critically acclaimed albums under his belt. His fourth album, Memphis in the Morning, is his most polished effort to date. For Memphis in the Morning, Shannon collaborated with Dennis Walker, the Grammy-winning producer who has worked with artists such as Robert Cray. Shannon has evolved into an outstanding instrumentalist, mixing in blues with a little bit of funk à la the Meters. Shannon also brings a hearty sense of humor to his music, singing about traditional topics of heartbreak and loss as well as modern annoyances, as he does on the track "S.U.V." He also has a political edge, which comes through on his cover version of B.B. King's "Why I Sing the Blues," including new verses that attack the state of U.S. politics and education. After listening to Memphis in the Morning, it's easy to understand why Mem Shannon is considered one of the best modern bluesmen around. ~ Jon Azpiri, All Music Guide
'Spend Some Time with Me'
Release Date 2/16/1999
Tracks 12
Label Shanachie
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Mem Shannon's Shanachie debut, Spend Some Time with Me, finds the ex-cab driver bluesman stretching his sound to the limit. Whether adding country flourishes on "A Certain Shade of Blue" or crafting danceable social commentary with "Who Are They?" and "Dirty Dishes," Shannon finds new ways to define and transcend the blues. "Don't Talk About My Mama" is a response to all the "yo' mama" jokes, while "The Last Time I Was Here (Millennium Blues)" traces the African-American experience, from slavery to the present, through reincarnation. An ambitious, enjoyable album, Spend Some Time with Me reveals growth and development in an already accomplished artist. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide
'A Cab Driver's Blues'
Release Date 1/1/1995
Tracks 18
Label Hannibal
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Mem Shannon's first album, A Cab Driver's Blues, became a minor media sensation upon its 1995 release due to circumstance more than music. Shannon's story is fascinating -- he's a New Orleans taxi driver who wanted to get out of the business and become a bluesman. That's basically what all the songs on the album are about, whether they're about the job ("5th Ward Horseman," "$17.00 Brunette"), domestic problems ("My Baby's Been Watching TV") or just life in general ("Food Drink and Music," "Ode to Benny Hill"). Shannon's songs have so much specificity and detail that they wind up being much more interesting than the average contemporary blues album. Also, his warm, laidback musical style is idiosyncratic and unpredictable. His delivery is friendly and conversational -- he often sounds as if he's singing directly to the listener. And it's that special, intimate quality that makes A Cab Driver's Blues a truly unique and special contemporary blues record. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
