WYXR Stereo Session #2: Sam the Sham "Hard & Heavy"

1350 Concourse Avenue,Memphis TN 38104

16 March, 2022

Description

"WYXR's Stereo Sessions presented by nexAir and MEMPHO" will feature Sam The Sham's "Hard and Heavy" at the Memphis Listening Lab. Rock and roll star Domingo "Sam The Sham" Samudio may seem like an unlikely candidate for a series highlighting rare and unheard material. After all, he had a pretty stellar hit with his signature song "Wooly Bully," accompanied by his band The Pharaohs. However, there's another side to Sham, one with a hard edge that you can only truly hear via his solo effort, where he's billed simply as "Sam." The 1971 LP, titled "Hard and Heavy," was released on Atlantic Records and produced by Tom Dowd. Although Samudio recorded the album in Miami, you'll hear him backed by an all-star group of players filled with Memphis musicians. The group includes Jim Dickinson on piano, Andrew Love on tenor sax, Wayne Jackson on trumpet, Jack Hale on trombone, James Mitchell on baritone sax, Charlie Freeman on guitar, and Tommy McClure on bass. Additionally, Memphis-connected soul group The Sweet Inspirations lend their talents on backing vocals, and Southern rock legend Duane Allman joins on guitar, as well. Not convinced? Just wait until you hear it in full at Memphis Listening Lab on March 16 at 6 p.m. We will be gathering to hear exclusive new interviews from Sam, who will join us virtually, along with in-person commentary from his longtime collaborator Mark Newman. Seating is limited so we are asking all attendees to RSVP. "WYXR's Stereo Sessions presented by nexAir and MEMPHO" featuring Sam The Sham's "Hard and Heavy" is sponsored by Orion, Shangri-La Records, Archer Malmo, Memphis Listening Lab, and VIA Productions. The event is powered by a grant from Humanities Tennessee.