Photo by: Stacie Huckeba
“Susan Marshall is arguably the contemporary Memphis scene’s most powerful and versatile pure singer…the likes of Al Green and Ann Peebles find a worthy inheritor here with Marshall.”
—Memphis Flyer
About.
Recording artist Susan Marshall has released five critically praised solo albums— Susan Marshall Is Honey Mouth, Firefly, Little Red, Decorations of Red, and her latest, 639 Madison. The former front lady for 90’s rock/soul band The Mother Station is also known for her performances with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, as well as her 15-year residency at Itta Bena, located on world-famous Beale Street, just above B.B. Kings.
She’s toured internationally as part of the Afghan Whigs, as well as Cat Power & The Memphis Rhythm Band. She has appeared on Austin City Limits, The Late Show With David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and the BBC’s Later…with Jools Holland and has been a featured artist for Sun Studio sessions on PBS.
Susan is also known for her studio and stage work with a wide range of superstars; Al Green, Lucinda Williams, Keith Richards, Norah Jones, Lenny Kravitz, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ann Peebles, Don Bryant, Foy Vance, North Mississippi Allstars, Solomon Burke, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Primal Scream and Katharine McPhee, to name a few.
Her studio background vocal work has garnered multiple gold and platinum record awards, as well as the distinction of having sung background vocals on five GRAMMY-nominated records, and a Gram Parsons tribute, that featured Norah Jones, Lucinda Williams and Keith Richards.
Music.
Shows.
Additional Projects.
After more than 30 years of recording sessions and performing concerts together, two of Memphis’ most respected voices — Susan Marshall and Reba Russell — are stepping into the spotlight together for the first time with a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl single.
Long revered as two of the city’s most in-demand background vocalists and compelling solo artists, Marshall and Russell have lent their harmonies to hundreds of recordings. Marshall’s credits include albums with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lenny Kravitz, Lucinda Williams, Primal Scream, and The Afghan Whigs. Russell has recorded with artists, including U2, B.B. King, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Collective Soul, Tracy Nelson, Arlo McKinley, Jimmy Thackery, and Huey Lewis.
Together, the pair’s voices have also supported many artists including Al Green, Foy Vance, Don Bryant, The Mountain Goats, The Allman Betts Band, and the film soundtrack to Song Sung Blue — a testament to their distinctive blend and the enduring power of the Memphis sound.
For the first time, after decades of singing behind the stars, Marshall and Russell have recorded together as featured vocalists.
The limited vinyl single features two songs recorded at the legendary Sam Phillips Recording Service during the COVID-19 pandemic and was engineered/mixed by GRAMMY Award winner Matt Ross-Spang.
One side features their intimate interpretation of “Across the Universe”, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The other features “Everything That’s True,” written by Memphis songwriter Rob Jungklas.
