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The Royal Sessions

LP

Paul Rodgers Format: Vinyl
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 397 ratings
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Editorial Reviews

The New Album, The Memphis Sessions from Paul Rodgers on 200 Gram Audiophile


Paul Rodgers, longtime singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with Bad Company, has partnered with 429 Records and is gearing up for the release of The Royal Sessions a lovingly crafted collection of classic R&B and soul songs re-imagined by the iconic rock singer recorded at Memphis Royal Studios, historic home of Willie Mitchell and Hi Records, with many of the musicians who played on the original tracks. Truly a lifetime in the making, Rodgers has come full circle with The Royal Sessions as he pays homage to the legendary hits he collected on 45s released on Stax/Volt, Goldwax and Hi Records recordings by Otis Redding, Albert King and Ann Peebles which made such an indelible impression on the young Rodgers inspiring him to pursue a career as a singer. Produced by Perry Margouleff, The Royal Sessions is an extraordinary recording which captures the music in its pure form live band and vocal takes as performed together at Royal Studios by Rodgers and an all-star roster of legendary musicians. The band is a dream lineup of those who played on the original hits dating back to the 60s. The classic rhythm section includes Reverend Charles Hodges (Hammond B3), Michael Tolls (guitar), LeRoy Hodges Jr. (bass), Hubby Archie Turner (Wurlitzer), Steve Potts and James Robertson Sr. (drums), The Royal Horns and the Royal Singers.

Product details

  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.24 x 12.32 x 0.24 inches; 11.64 ounces
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Savoy
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ November 27, 2013
  • Label ‏ : ‎ Savoy
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00GY6Z5Q8
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 397 ratings

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4.5 out of 5 stars
397 global ratings

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A Gem of a Collection
5 out of 5 stars
A Gem of a Collection
I can only repeat, for the most part, what the first three reviewers have said about this disc...and my rating says it. I am listening to some of the tunes for the first time as I write this. Fans of PR should not hesitate on this one...this is no "mid-life crisis" release...this is an artist continuing an amazing catalog of work. Choice of songs, arrangements, players, back-up singers - all first class.It just feels so good!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Brooks Keenan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Paul Rogers With the Best Soul Music Band on Earth in 2014
    Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Paul Rogers is an English/Canadian hard rocker who fronted the bands Free and Bad Company. After he made his millions of British Pounds Sterling doing hard rock, he created this album, The Royal Sessions, as a labor of love. He says his earliest inspiration to begin singing was American Southern soul, from Memphis and Muscle Shoals. At his request, his manager rounded up some of the best of the surviving original generation of Memphis soul music session musicians to help him record some of his favorite soul tunes. The album was recorded live in the studio—no overdubs—and the whole album was recorded in three days.
    Paul Rogers proves that he is a truly excellent soul singer and, to me (a long-time soul musician), the band knocks me out. It may be the best soul music band it was possible to assemble on Planet Earth in 2014. There’s nothing really flashy about what they do. They just have a depth of feeling and understanding for this genre of music that they helped to invent. If you are a fan of classic soul music, you owe yourself this album.
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  • Andrew Claps
    5.0 out of 5 stars A British Invasion of a different sort . . .
    Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    The thing that has to be kept in mind about vanity projects such as the “The Royal Sessions”—and it IS a vanity project, however derogatorily that term is often used and perceived—is that such projects are derived from PASSION, specifically a particular artist’s passion for the music he/she is paying tribute to.

    One cannot deny Paul’s passion for this project. His singing is as inflamed and forceful as I ever remember hearing it. But—and this is an important but—he’s got touch and nuance in spades, and this kind of music demands those two things, along with the requisite sheer vocal power. Listening to him sing songs like “That’s How My Strong Is,” and “Walk On By,” and “I Have Dreams to Remember” makes me smile in appreciation. If ever there were a white vocalist (British, no less) who I’d pay good money to see perform Stax-era songs live, it’s Paul Rodgers. I might even take out a second mortgage on our house if the rates were low enough! :)

    Rodgers sings with consummate taste and discretion, never trying to overpower the tunes with his gale-force rasp. He always stays ever-so-slightly behind the melody, and that imbues the songs with a relaxed sense of groove that the original artists captured better than anyone. And the accompaniment, as you’d expect, since these are mainly the guys who played on the songs originally, is beyond ridiculous—in a VERY good way, of course. To call it tight would be like calling the Sears Tower “adequately sized.” Absolutely staggering.

    I won’t belabor the point, but “The Royal Sessions” is a winner . . . period. Will it burn up the charts or influence a generation? Absolutely not. Is it worthy of your hard-earned dollars? If you’re a fan of ‘60s and ‘70s R&B and soul and want to hear that music from a slightly different perspective by one of the great voices to bless the rock era? EMINENTLY. Who cares if Paul Rodgers is British. The music that inspired “The Royal Sessions” spoke to him as a youth--in the purest, most non-racial way it could--and he managed to channel that inspiration into his landmark work with any number of groups as an adult. Now, fifty somewhat years later, he’s returned home and channeled that same inspiration into an album that should turn your head if you listen with open ears.
    35 people found this helpful
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  • Triodeotl
    4.0 out of 5 stars Rogers Does Soul and R&B
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Very dry recording almost no ambience. No overdubs cut all live. Some of the tracks have killer bass drum sound. The double organ on some songs of Wurlitzer and Hammond is really great. Too short could have been a double LP or should have been cut hotter on a double. Don't miss it. I love Paul and all that he does. He aint done yet and you aren't either. Pick it up it will give you a boost and brighten any day. You wanna dance grab a girl. Its all here roll around in the sound. Get it now! ++++
    3 people found this helpful
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  • scotty
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great music/unbelievable production
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Been in to Paul since I bought Tons of Sobs when I was around 10 years old. My only real complaint with him is when he joined Queen, wrong fit if you will. I was excited and skeptical when I first read about this project. But boy has he delivered big time on this! He has always been one of my top 3 singers right next to Plant and Daltrey. But I have to say his voice has aged way better than either of them. This type of music fits him perfectly and to record these classics with all of these top notch Memphis studio musicians just adds more burning fuel to the hot fire conjured up during these incredible sessions! The song selection is very good with only one minor complaint and that is Born Under A Bad Sign. That song has been covered WAY too much (Trower butchered it on his last album) and now Rodgers, who does an alright take on it, but too many other better choices could have been made. But that does not stop this from being a classic release. Now on to the production, WOW!!! This baby sounds as good as some of my Japanese SHM cds! It is pure analogue and does it ever sound so! Notice how you have to turn it up more to let the beauty of these songs shine through! No victim of loudness wars here. Perry A. Margouleff who produced this really needs to be called out here on the wonderful production job on this music! So now is where I will bark a little if I may and that is all of the different versions of this release. Best Buy has one with a bonus DVD of the making of these sessions. Amazon has one with 3 extra songs (and they are good ones, especially the Free cover. I bought both while on sale so not bad for $21.00. And then there is the 200g vinyl which only has 9 songs, which is keeping me from buying and with the production quality of the cd, there really is no need unless you are a collector. This is one killer release and I sure hope people spread the word so this gets the notice it deserves!
    21 people found this helpful
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  • GiorgioGG64
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ascoltatelo!!!!!
    Reviewed in Italy on November 20, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Il CD è arrivato nei tempi previsti tutto ok, per il resto che dire, Paul Rodgers è Paul Rodgers, uno dei miei artisti preferiti e, come al solito, l'esecuzione dei brani e l'interpretazione di Paul sono superlativi!!!
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  • Scott Lawrence
    5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful recording
    Reviewed in Australia on October 26, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of Paul's great recordings. His feel and emotion in these songs reflects why he is so revered as one of the world's great soul vocalists. This is a must for any fan of "Free" or "Bad Company" Go get it.
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  • Al Lynch
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent - Paul Rodgers sounds awesome on these great R&B Classics
    Reviewed in Canada on February 9, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    As a longtime fan of "Bad Company", I've always liked Paul Rodgers' vocal performances. As strong and unmistakeable as ever, his voice seems perfectly at home, delivering his treatment of these classic songs. A standout is "I Can't Stand the Rain" - he nails it! The DVD, while short, is well worth the extra bit of pocket change. It provides you with an insight of the passion and purpose that moved Rodgers to make this recording & lets you know the legacy of the fine musisicnas who play on the CD. I also like that most of the tracks were recorded live right from the studio floor. To make you feel even better about your purchase, proceeds are being given back to the local music programs in Memphis. Enjoy!
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  • Mäcki 57
    5.0 out of 5 stars Royal...aber absolut !
    Reviewed in Germany on April 6, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Wem diese Scheibe nicht gäfällt , der hat selber schuld oder er sitz im falschen Zug. Ein Meisterwerk von einem " Dozen Thoroughbred musician " , welches für Musikkenner keinen Zweifel läßt. Wer hier nörgelt ( tut mir leid ),der soll die Platte wieder da hinbringen wo er sie her hat. Es ist wie mit sehr gutem whisky, man muss es lernen, ihn zu genießen.
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  • moral
    3.0 out of 5 stars Bueno
    Reviewed in Spain on March 21, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Bueno, Paul Rodgers nunca falla y en este caso cumple con holgura. Bastante recomendable. Mejora la percepción después de varias audiciones
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