The air was electric inside the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the hallowed grounds where Otis Redding, Albert King, Booker T and many, many, many other musicians singlehandedly created Memphis soul. It was the night of The Royal Sessions album release party, the latest release from Bad Company and Free front man Paul Rodgers. With this album, the celebrated musician was paying tribute to the sounds that brought him into the music, giving the proceeds to the Stax museum and academy, and the finest music lovers in Memphis were there to support the cause.
The real show was in the sloped-floored studio; the site of an old theater and the acoustical magic gave Stax it’s untouchable sound. Paul Rodgers took the stage to roaring applause, dressed impeccably and channeling the soul music icons. All smiles and backed by a house full of the best musicians Memphis could muster, Rodgers exploded into four Stax covers. The audience roared, danced, and sang along through “I Thank You”, and Paul finished in true blues form with “Born Under a Bad Sign”, in the very room that the original song was recorded.
