That's how he got to Memphis

So how does the King of Rock and Soul end up making a country album? While it's true that Gospel and Country used to be more intertwined, Solomon Burke actually grew up on the songs of the cowboy, watching Gene Autry and Roy Rogers television shows at the behest of his grandmother (they watched for the music.) He even has a clock radio that wakes him up to "Back in the Saddle Again" (and let's face it, he's always looked durn good in a cowboy hat.)

Album: Solomon Burke Nashville
Playlist: Songs Covered on Nashville

It's been four years since he amazed us with the heart-felt soul of Don't Give Up on Me, and Nashville finds him once again sounding inspired in a new environment, singing song of Tom T. Hall, George Jones and the like. This time 'round he's assembled a star-studded list ofwho he calls the "queens of his soul": Dolly Parton, Emmy Lou Harris, Gillian Welch, Patty Griffin and Patty Loveless. It's a great listen, and a welcome return for Burke from last year's puzzling and disappointing If You Need Me.

tags: playlist, music, country, soul, solomon burke, album review, nashville, rhapsody