It wouldn’t be a rhythm and blues festival without a touch of Memphis magic!
Coming to Blues on Broadbeach in 2024 are Memphis legends Hi Rhythm Section with Boo Mitchell, who’ll be bringing their 10th anniversary celebration of the critically acclaimed documentary ‘Take Me To The River’ to the Gold Coast!
Performing music from the hit documentary on Friday 17 May, this is the ultimate, authentic blues music experience you won’t want to miss. Keep reading to discover more on this incredible session!
TAKE ME TO THE RIVER
Take Me To The River is a 2014 documentary celebrating the intergenerational and interracial musical influence of Memphis, in the face of pervasive discrimination and segregation.
The critically acclaimed documentary brings together multiple generations of award-winning Memphis musicians and follows the creative process of recording a historic new album.
The film re-imagines the utopia of the racial, gender and generational collaboration of Memphis in its heyday and has become a critically acclaimed documentary.
Produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Boo Mitchell who is the son of legendary Hi Records and Al Green producer Willie Mitchell, the documentary certainly has no shortage of blues music icons.
“I still remember my first session for Take Me To The River, and where we started to where we finished was so different. It was a life changing experience for me. I started going through my roller decks and calling people that were like my uncles and next thing I know I’m recording William Bell, Bobby Rush, Otis Clay and eventually Snoop Dogg.” – Boo Mitchell
HI RHYTHM SECTION
Take Me To The River combined the past and present of the legendary Memphis music scene for the ultimate collaboration. One of the artists featured was Hi Rhythm Section, who are considered by some as the best musicians that Memphis has ever produced.
Constructed around three talented brothers by Hi Records producer Willie Mitchell during the late 1960s, they became the house band for the label and played across hit soul albums by several artists including Al Green and Ann Peebles. Comprised of Mabon Hodges (guitarist), Leroy Hodges (bassist), Charles Hodges (organist), Howard Grimes (drummer), and Archie Turner (pianist), the band has played on 26 consecutive gold and platinum records and countless chart hits.
From the 60s till now, there’s no doubt that the Memphis music scene has changed and adapted in various ways, but according to Boo, not everything has changed.
“It’s a very different music scene in Memphis today. There’s a lot of newer genres that didn’t exist back then like indie-rock and hip hop. But the one thing that has remained constant the whole time is Hi Rhythm Section. They’re still making incredible music, they’re still performing the hits and they’re still making records with younger, newer artists. They are the common denominator of Memphis.”
And in true Take Me To The River fashion, Hi Rhythm Section will be joined by a newer generation of artists this May in the forms of guitarist Lina Beach and vocalist Jerome Chism. Together, you can be sure to hear all the classic Memphis soul songs you know and love.
If you don’t want to miss this incredible show at Blues on Broadbeach, be sure to download the official festival app and add Hi Rhythm Section with Boo Mitchell to your personal schedule!
And for our 2024 Twelve Bar Society members, an exclusive members-only screening of the documentary will be on Saturday 18 May from 10am – 12pm, followed by a Q&A with Boo Mitchell, Film Director Martin Shore, Hi Rhythm Section original band member Rev. Charles Hodges and newest member Lina Beach.
If you’re keen to take a deep dive into all things soul, blues and Memphis, you’re in for a real treat! Twelve Bar Society members – be sure to add this session to your personal program within the app!
