Two decades have elapsed since the honey-voiced Georgia-born singer/songwriter Lizz Wright debuted with the album Salt, which set her on a path to world renown. Marking the 20th anniversary of her first long-player, Wright, now 43, has announced that she’ll be releasing her eighth album, Shadow, in April 2024, her first studio project to be released on her own Blues & Greens Records label, launched last year.
An evocative taster from Shadow, ‘Sweet Feeling’ – Wright’s rootsy remake of a Candi Staton song from 1970 – is released today, Friday, October 6th. “I first heard Candi Staton as a child because of her gospel singing, which my father loved,” explains Wright. “I didn’t realize that she also sang contemporary music until years later. Her voice is like no other and sounds honest and at home in anything she sings, no matter the genre.”
Wright imbues her performance of ‘Sweet Feeling’ with a decidedly bluesy, late-night feel. “I’m excited to be singing the blues more now,” confesses the singer. “It has a boldness, but it also comforting. Singing the blues in Chicago is like finding sap in a great old tree. The blues is in the spirit of the city.”
Fittingly, the singer shot a video for the song in her newly adopted hometown, the so-called “Windy City” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVzjDs3W8FU). She was filmed on stage at the Green Mill, a legendary jazz venue on Broadway in Uptown, Chicago.
Wright’s next album Shadow follows next year. It was produced by Chris Bruce (who’s worked with Seal, Bettye LaVette, and Sheryl Crow) and includes five self-penned tunes. It also features special guest appearances by the multi-Grammy-winning African singer/songwriter Angelique Kidjo and the US bassist/composer Meshell Ndegeocello.
‘Sweet Feeling’ is available to download and stream today. The album Shadow is due on April 12, 2024.
