Walking in Memphis – Marc Cohn

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Walking in Memphis – Marc Cohn

It’s 25 years since I was walking in Memphis. I was on a weeks long road trip with my parents, whistle stop to Nashville and then Memphis. I liked Country and Blues music back then but didn’t know their history's as I do now. Memphis was brilliant, even the drive there surrounded by the forests in their fall colours was mesmerizing. Being huge Elvis fans we did Sun Studios, I can still look around the recording room in my head. It was only while we there I found out it was also where Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis started. We then did the Graceland experience, Elvis’ iconic home, fascinating and moving.

Then in the evening we hit Beale Street, home of the Blues. We ventured into BB Kings bar and I can still remember the smell. Let’s just say it was a very relaxed atmosphere, sitting on a high stool, drinking a Bud, listening to the house band was amazing. It felt like being in a movie.

Marc Cohn sums this all up perfectly in this great song. My brother was the one who put me onto this tune a few years before my visit, it set the tone for our trip, just the way Marc describes being in that music town. The place is full of ghosts and spirits, I love the simple references he uses, 'in the middle of the pouring rain'. I had to look up who 'W.C. Handy' was, he's the self proclaimed Father of the Blues. 

The backing of this song is so appropriate for the story he’s telling. The piano intro puts you in the mood and then we're off, walking down Beale Street, the way the song conjurers up different genres, one minute we're in rock and then blues, soul, gospel, it's all in there. Quality.

Cher had a go a few years later and that version sort of divided the musical world. 

Favorite lyric : And Reverend Green be glad to see you / When you haven't got a prayer

 

Location: Rayleigh, UK

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