Naomi Shelton and The Gospel Queens
American soul legend Naomi Shelton is bringing her band of Gospel Queens to Fulham next Wednesday (15 July 2015).
They roll into town to play Under the Bridge, the venue next to Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge home, and it’s a rare chance to catch Alabama-born soul and gospel legend Naomi sing. She cut her teeth in New York City’s club scene in the early 1960s and went on to perform with Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding and Lou Rawls, among others.
The band, whose ages range from 17 to 82, is led by Brother Cliff Driver with a musical pedigree that includes working with legends Baby Washington, Little Willie John, King Curtis, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson and Solomon Burke.
And veteran ‘Queens’ Edna Johnson and Bobbie Jean Gant – who have been singing with Naomi for the better part of 20 years – are joined by rookie Angel McKenzie, who was drafted during the winter of 2013. And on bass guitar is the infamous Fred Thomas, who spent the better part of his musical career backing up The Godfather of Soul himself, Mr. James Brown – in the eponymous JBs.
In the six years since the release of their last full-length record, Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens have toured extensively, playing main stages at some of the most prestigious festivals in the world, including The Monterey Jazz and Montreal Pop festivals. And the last few years of hard touring have played a crucial role in the creation of the songs that would form their new Daptone Records album, Cold World.
With Daptone boss Gabriel Roth (Bosco Mann) at the helm, Naomi and company went into the studio and cut 12 inspired new songs live to eight-track tape. And at the heart and soul of the band’s sound lie, as ever, Naomi’s raw, gritty vocals, commanding attention with every heart- wrenching syllable.
For times, tickets and more details visit the Under the Bridge website.
