Entertainment

The Tim Terry Experience delivers another ‘tingle-gut’ performance

If you missed out on The Tim Terry Experience Unplugged last Saturday (March 19), then you missed out on a “neo” soulful evening. by Jason D. Burt
Special to the Tri-State Defender

If you missed out on The Tim Terry Experience Unplugged last Saturday (March 19), then you missed out on a “neo” soulful evening.

At The Vine on Madison last Saturday, The Tim Terry Experience included crowd favorites such as the new hit, “Oowee.” (Courtesy photo)

In midtown, during a live recording down in the Basement Soul Lounge at The Vine on Madison, the Tim Terry Experience combined rhythm and blues into a potent mixture that was filled with so much swag and soul that it would make you want to shake and nod your head at the same time.

This, however, was not a new thing for the Tim Terry Experience – Tim Terry on the vocals and a four-piece band that includes Jonathan Richmond playing the keyboard, Taurus Turner on drums, Steve Bethany on lead guitar, and Jackie Clark on the bass guitar. Dating back to last year, the group has put together a string of performances that have tingled-gutted audiences in venues such as the New Daisy Theater, River Arts Festival, The Rumba Room, and BB King’s in Nashville.

A band is a healthy reminder of the joys that come from listening to musical instruments in sweet-soul/funk harmony flowing into the ear. It is refreshing to hear songs that remind us how we are supposed to feel when we love someone and Tim Terry is doing just that.

With church roots, Tim Terry himself stepped into the music industry via the gospel, performing alongside Bobby Jones and the New Life Church, as well as the Music City Mass Choir. A singer, songwriter and producer, Terry soon entered the rhythm and soul scene in Memphis and has been producing hit after hit of quality music that touches the soul every time.

Terry’s musical influences were Rhythm and Blues’ disciples of Soul, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Willie Hutch, Al Green and Isaac Hayes. His debut album, “The Tim Terry Experience,” was released in 2005. The album was produced by legendary American guitarist Angelo Earl and reached No. 2 on the UK Soul charts. Terry says the album’s sound is “stripped down to its bare essence” so fans can focus more on the message each song conveys, taking you on a journey with sounds and words.

With such a strong following in Europe, Tim Terry seems poised for international recognition. However, Terry has yet to be spotlighted as a renowned Memphis artist.

 Terry says Memphis has such a rich group of talented artist that we sometimes get used to hearing good music. I say too much good music is never a bad thing. It certainly is true that Memphis is brimmed with musical talent, but we should not under appreciate a truly sincere sound when we hear it.

Terry has a strong following on Facebook and Twitter and is ranked No. 9 on Reverbnation.com’s top local rhythm and blues chart. In a Facebook status Tim Terry posts that Saturday night was a “magical” and “phenomenal” atmosphere, and I’m sure the audience would agree.

Normally, as Terry would say, “what happens in the experience stays in the experience,” but I feel obligated to share with everyone that the Tim Terry Experience on Saturday was an exhilarating experience for everyone.

The Tim Terry Experience is preparing for a tour and updated information is available at thetimterryexperience.com

(Jason D. Burt is a special correspondent with “‘N’Style TV Show” (Tuesdays at 6 p.m.) and “City Beats TV Show)” (Wednesdays at midnight) – both on Comcast Cable Channel 17.)