MEMPHIS MUSIC BEAT

Eurythmics' Stewart recording at Memphis' Royal Studios

Bob Mehr
bob.mehr@commercialappeal.com

Sharp-eyed social media watchers will have noticed that musician and producer Dave Stewart – one half of British pop duo Eurhythmics, and close collaborator with Tom Petty and Mick Jagger, among others – has been at South Memphis’ Royal Studios over the last few days.

Stewart has been working on a new album from Australian songstress Vanessa Amorosi. The Melbourne native is a multiplatinum super star in her home country. Since the release of her 2009 album “Hazardous,” Amorosi has relocated to Los Angles, and now finds herself in the Bluff City working on a new soul-flavored LP with Stewart, at the historic home of Hi Records, Al Green and Ann Peebles.

The 9:01: Memphis music, Bruno Mars does it again, more

Though he’s been through the region on several occasions -- including doing work on the late Robert Palmer’s “Deep Blues” documentary -- this is Stewart’s first time working at Royal. “But obviously I knew of its history,” he says. “I always think there are centers throughout the world that are magnetic poles, lighting rods for music: Havana, Memphis, Nashville, Berlin. At certain periods of time they just explode, like a volcano. Then they go back down and then explode again. Memphis seems to be in one of those really active periods.”

“Royal is legendary when you consider all the classic records that have been made here -- and all the guys who played on those records, many of whom are still around. The really wonderful thing about this studio is it’s exactly as [late owner] Willie Mitchell, wanted to be,” says Stewart. “And thankfully, unlike a lot of places, they didn’t want to change anything. They basically nailed the mics and drums in position where they got those great sounds – it’s like, why change it? It sounds fantastic as it is.”

Party Line: Frayser Boy celebrates birthday in star-studded style

Amorosi's album features original material penned by her and Stewart. For his part, Royal boss and engineer Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell was blown away by Amorosi's vocals. “Vanessa is an absolutely amazing singer,” he says. “She’s got a voice between Patti LaBelle and Aretha Franklin.” Adds Stewart: “Vanessa is one of the few singers that can tackle really extreme vocals. For example, we’re about to do a track with a massive gospel choir. To stand there and sing in front of a Memphis gospel choir, you need a lot of chutzpah and a lot of skill.”

The usual cadre of players at Royal – including veterans of the Hi Rhythm section and Stax Records – have been recruited for the session.  “As a record producer the last thing I ever do in a roomful of genius players is tell them what and how to play,” says Stewart. “The trick is to write great songs and take them to the players, let them jam on it for a while until they’ve got it, and then we’re ready to record. We’re doing it in one take with Vanessa singing right along. It’s a tried and true formula. As I say, if it ain’t broke, why fix it?”

Though no plans have been set, the result of Amorosi's Memphis sessions will likely be released in mid-2017.

Hardee Tributes 

Plans for a local memorial and a tribute concert dedicated to late Memphis musician Clay Hardee, aka Clay Otis, have been announced.

The 35-year-old singer-songwriter was found dead last week at the home of a friend in Atlanta. The cause of the death is still unknown. Hardee’s remains were cremated in his native Panama City, Florida over the weekend. A family memorial will be held there today.

Meantime, Hardee’s longtime collaborator, High/Low Studio owner Toby Vest confirms that an informal memorial service will be held this weekend in Memphis. Cooper Young’s Bar DKDC will host a gathering for Hardee’s friends on Sunday at 2 p.m. “We’re gonna play all his records, and have some food and let people talk and remember him,” says Vest. “This weekend is just for Memphis folks to come and say their piece and celebrate Clay."

Vest also confirms plans are being made for a more elaborate musical tribute to Hardee to take place at the Hi-Tone Café on Dec. 1. The lineup for the all-day concert is still being put together, but Hardee favorite Snowglobe will perform on the bill. “In addition to Snowglobe, myself and Luke White will be headlining the show with the band that played on [Hardee’s] last release ‘ADDults,’” says Vest.

A ticket price for the concert is still pending, but proceeds from the event will go to Hardee’s mother. “We’re hoping to be able to get his mom up here for the thing in December," adds Vest.

Hardee was a former film school student at the University of Central Florida when he arrived in Memphis in 2007. Originally, he’d come make a documentary on local indie-rockers Snowglobe, but soon found himself pursuing his own musical passions. With the release of his debut “Clay Otis and the Showbiz Lights” in 2011, Hardee would kick off a prolific patch, releasing a succession of sharply observed, cinematically rooted song cycles over the next few years including “The Overachiever,” “Citizen Clay,” and “Clay Otis and Shadow Brother.” Earlier this month Hardee released what would turn out to be his last LP, “ADDults,” which he celebrated with a show at Bar DKDC.

As news of Hardee’s passing spread online and via social media over the weekend, friends and musical colleagues expressed shock and sadness. The outpouring had a common theme, recalling Hardee’s generous, encouraging nature and enthusiasm for his own art and that of others. “It’s been a really incredible response, to be honest,” says Vest. “I mean, I’ve been on the phone for four days straight with people calling to talk about Clay and trying to organize everything. We’re all just overwhelmed by people’s sincerity. The effect that Clay had on people was amazing.”

Producer Dave Stewart and singer Vanessa Amorosi (center), with the crew at Royal Studios.