"Magnolia" - Lee Fields & The Expressions (JJ Cale Cover) [SoundCloud Audio Stream] | Zumic

Having seen Lee Fields perform live on several occasions, I can say that he's one of the most soulful and engaging performers in music today - even at over 60 years of age. He continues to roll on, with a new album called Emma Jean due out on June 3 via Truth and Soul Records. Listen to Fields' cover of JJ Cale's "Magnolia" above, which will be featured on the album.

Compared to the original 1972 version of the song released on Cale's debut album Naturally, Fields' version is pretty true to the mellow vibe although it's a little more energized here with a more active bass line and little flourishes of keyboards, electric guitar parts, and other subtle instrumentation that also gives the song a more plush texture. The pedal steel guitar is another nice element that helps the song soar toward the end of the track as Fields' vocal locks in with the band.

The Expressions are a big band that knows how to come together to create a big unified sound. This is a beautiful nod to the late JJ Cale's style, combining country, jazz, funk, rock, and that early drum machine sound into an a sophisticated yet easy going tune.

SoundCloud description:

Lee Fields has re-teamed with The Expressions for a new album, "Emma Jean," out June 3 on Brooklyn’s Truth & Soul Records. Coming at a time when many new artists are trying to emulate the soul and swagger of the 1960s, Mr. Fields showers us with authenticity on the 11-track set, highlighted by first single “Magnolia.” Hear the refreshed cover of the JJ Cale track that embodies the late, great American singer-songwriter and the Tulsa Sound he helped create.

Follow Lee Fields & The Expressions for Tour Information & New Releases
www.facebook.com/leefieldsandtheexpressions
twitter.com/LeeFields12
instagram.com/leefieldsandtheexpressions

SXSW DATES
3/12 FILTER Magazine Party // Clive Bar
filtermagazine.com/index.php/rsvp/…aggar_sxsw_2014

3/13 Pandora Discovery Den // The Gatsby
boxoffice.stubhub.com/event/PandoraSXSW

3/14 LIVE ON KUTX Austin // Four Seasons Hotel Austin
kut.org/post/kutx-live-four-s…t-anticipated-artists

3/15 The Windish Agency Party // The Mohawk Austin
www.windishagency.com/sxsw

TOUR DATES // truthandsoulrecords.com/events/

05.29.14 // NEW YORK, NY // BOWERY BALLROOM RECORD RELEASE PARTY
06.04.14 // LONDON, UK // XOYO
06.05.14 // PARIS, FRANCE // La Maroquinerie
06.07.14 // ERFURT, GERMANY // Franz Mehlhose
06.08.14 // GENT, BELGIUM // Balzaal
06.10.14 // HAMBURG, GERMANY // Mojo
06.12.14 // STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN // Nalen
06.14.14 // BERGEN, NORWAY // Bergenfest
07.04.14 // QUINCY, WASHINGTON // Sasquatch Music Festival

*MORE TOUR DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED