Texas have teamed up with American songwriter and pianist Spooner Oldham for their first joint album, ‘The Muscle Shoals Sessions’.
Due March 29, the album was recorded at the renowned Fame Recording Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, during the summer of 2022, and features twelve of Texas’ greatest hits reimagined.
Also included are two covers – Would I Lie To You by Charles and Eddie and Save The Last Dance by The Drifters – stripped back to their bare bones, guided by the soulful voice of Sharleen Spiteri, accompanied by Oldham’s delicate piano lines.
Spiteri says of the experience: “To have the option to go to Muscle Shoals to record was like being a little kid in a sweet shop. Working with Spooner was inspiring, fun and he’s just a wonderful human being.
“The fact that Northern Soul music has been such a massive influence for Texas made the fit with Spooner just right. Him writing Keep On Talking was essential to us recording it for this album.”
On adapting the tracks for the album, she continues: “To reimagine the classics and break them down so you hear the clarity in the lyrics – it may give you a different take and a different feeling on these songs.
“It’s just vocal and a piano with some beautiful backing – all recorded live. I think you’re going to get something quite different from what you will have heard on the original versions.”
It comes ahead of the group’s UK arena tour in September, which will see the band play arenas across the country.
‘The Muscle Shoals Sessions’ is out March 29 via [PIAS] and is available to pre-order here.
Tracklist: Texas – The Muscle Shoals Sessions
1. Halo (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
2. Mr Haze (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
3. Summer Son (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
4. Say What You Want (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
5. Keep On Talking (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
6. The Conversation (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
7. In Demand (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
8. Would I Lie To You (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
9. Let’s Work It (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
10. Black Eyed Boy (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
11. Everyday Now (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
12. I Don’t Want A Lover (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
13. In Our Lifetime (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
14. Save The Last Dance (The Muscle Shoals Sessions)
