Memphis roots cross the big pond for musician Charlie Wood
As Charlie Wood might tell you: you can take the musician out of Memphis, but you can’t take Memphis out of the musician.
The 42-year-old Wood has been a fixture on Beale Street and the city’s music scene for two decades. But for the last few months he’s been living in London, where he went to promote the U.K. release of his latest album for the local Archer Records label, Flutter and Wow.
Charlie Wood
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Although he’s back in town this week for a series of local performances — including a free show at the Levitt Shell at Overton Park Friday — Wood says he’s planning on “being stationed in London for the foreseeable future at this point.”
Wood has a history with Great Britain, having lived there briefly in the mid-’90s. Since then, Wood has been a regular visitor to the country — making half a dozen trips there to perform in 2008 alone — where interest in his brand of soulful organ-fueled roots music runs high.
“Given that, it made more sense to be based there,” says Wood. “There’s such a huge industry presence in London, so much going on all the time, and a lot of opportunities in writing and publishing. I think it’s the smart place to be right now.”
Wood has been splitting his time in London, co-writing songs, playing solo and trio shows in clubs, and being a guest on stage and on records with a variety of British musicians.
He says his Memphis pedigree has been invaluable asset. “It’s a huge thing. It opens a lot of doors. People are very aware — in England specifically, and Europe in general — about the legacy of music from Memphis,” says Wood.
“It matters to people when I’m hired as a vocalist or as a player; it’s a difference they can hear and appreciate in my songwriting as well. There’s an approach to language I wouldn’t have if I wasn’t from here. So it’s a great calling card.”
An equally strong calling card is Wood’s new record (due in U.S. stores next month, but already available locally). Produced by Norah Jones’ New York City-based collaborator Adam Levy, Flutter and Wow was recorded at the Archer-owned Music + Arts studio in Midtown last fall. The disc features an all-star cast of Wood’s Bluff City compatriots including bassist Sham Shoup, drummer Tom Lenardo, sax man Jim Spake, and harmonica player Billy Gibson.
Although a gifted singer and stellar organist, Wood said the motivation behind the album was to emphasize the material. “Although you might be able to do a lot of things musically or vocally, I think on a record you have to choose, and this album was done with a specific focus on the songs themselves,” he says.
Unlike his past records, which were self-produced, Levy’s presence helped to free up Wood in the studio. “One of the joys of the record was that I didn’t have to come up with all the ideas; all I had to do was sing and play as well as I could. So it was liberating in a way,” says Wood.
“I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with just anybody, but with Adam, whom I trust and whose work I really like, I just felt comfortable, relaxed and confident with what we would end up with. I think the record reflects that.”
In addition to half a dozen originals, Wood reinterprets a selection of classics by Leonard Cohen, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, and Paul Simon. “I wanted to present this as my take on the new ‘Great American Songbook.’ These were writers I grew up listening to and who influenced my work,” he says.
Wood will be marking the album’s forthcoming release with the Levitt Shell performance Friday evening, where he’ll be backed by the Flutter and Wow studio band, including Levy.
Wood says that although his stay in Memphis will be brief — he’s flying back to England next week — it will give him the opportunity to enjoy the creature comforts of home.
“The company is what I miss the most about Memphis. I miss hanging out with my family, friends and colleagues. Food is also definitely a factor,” says Wood, laughing. “Friends, music and food. I’m hoping to catch up on all of that while I’m here.”
Charlie Wood
Friday at 7 p.m. at the Levitt Shell at Overton Park. Free.
Comments » 1
FlossieMae writes:
One of my favorites is Charlie. Great voice! Everyone knows what great musicians are right here in Memphis. But isnt it a shame our wonderful talent has to leave Memphis and go somewhere else to get the recognition they deserve? Good Luck Charlie, you deserve all the fortune in the world.
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