Memphis soul from a family band

Southern Avenue plays Lark Hall Friday, two days before “Family” hits – the fourth album of the family band; built on the Staples Singers blueprint of three singing sisters and a guitar guy.

In the Staples, that guy was Pops Staples, father of the singing sisters. In Southern Avenue, it’s Israeli-born singer-guitarist Ori Naftaly who came to Memphis in 2013 for the International Blues Challenge where he saw Tierinii Jackson sing. “I saw my entire future flash in front of me,” Naftaly has said. 

Two years later, they were a band, and married. They completed Southern Avenue by adding Jackson’s sisters; drummer-singer-songwriter Tikyra (T.K.) Jackson and singer-percussionist-violinist-vocalist Ava Jackson. 

They named themselves after the Memphis street that passes the funky-soul Stax Records label, musical home of Booker T. and the MGs, Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett and other 60s and 70s stars. Southern Avenue’s passionate power glide soul sound was a natural as first Memphis band to for the revived label, releasing their self-named debut album in 2017. They won the Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist the next year, when their follow up “Keep On” (2019) earned a Grammy nomination. Los Lobos saxophonist and keyboard player Steve Berlin produced their next release, “Be The Love You Want” (2021).

Few bands manage to sound both familiar and fresh, but that’s Southern Avenue’s sweet spot; and the secret is soul. You can hear it, top to bottom, because the voice and guitar grab you first. Up top, Tierinii Jackson’s voice has a light, fleet sound, while Naftaly’s guitar chimes in various bluesy ways, a slide glide here, a staccato single-note run there, hefty chords under a vocal chorus. Down below, beats pump and push under the arrangements, unified and powerful.

And the harmonies; does anyone sing together better than siblings? This “Family” album celebrates that closest of connections. Best of all is their authentic, organic feel.

Last summer when they toured with Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival, Nelson wore a Southern Avenue T-shirt onstage and brought them back out after their earlier set to guest with him on the last three songs of the all-star show.

For fans of my vintage (early boomer), this new music feels like the Stax soul we loved growing up: all funk energy, punch and passion. For us, It’s “Oh, THAT sound!” For younger listeners who may have learned what soul sounds like through Lake Street Dive, Black Pumas, Leon Bridges or the current parade of single-named newcomers, this is stronger stuff, and sweeter.

“Family” hits on Monday as their debut on Chicago blues label Alligator Records, featuring 14 original songs. In addition to the core four – singer Tierinii Jackson, guitarist Ari Naftali, singer-drummer Tikyra Jackson and singer, percussionist and violinist Ava Jackson – they imported studio talent: keyboardist Jeremy Powell and bassists Blake Rhea and Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi All-Stars). 

When they introduce the new songs onstage at Lark Hall on Friday, they’ll be ready after three hometown shows this week.

Southern Avenue plays Friday, May 23 at Lark Hall (351 Hudson Ave. Albany) with special guest Ky McClinton. 8 p.m. $35.93, $24.40 518-599-5804 www.larkhallalbany.com