Hucknall - Tribute to Bobby at the Manchester Apollo 3rd July.

For the first time Mick Hucknall can be seen solo on tour without Simply Red to support his debut, solo, studio album ‘Tribute To Bobby’, released on 19th May.

 

The Bobby in question is the hugely influential African-American singer Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, sometimes referred to as the ‘Lion of the Blues’.

‘Tribute to Bobby’ is a twelve track album of soul, blues and R&B and a tribute to one of Hucknall’s most important inspirations and musical heroes. Along with such artists as Ray Charles, Sam Cooke and Junior Parker, Bland developed a sound that mixed gospel with blues and R&B. He sang classics such as big-band blues number ‘Farther Up The Road’ (US R&B top 10 hit in 1957) and perfected his craft in the 1960’s with a series of releases including ‘Cry Cry Cry’ and ‘I Pity The Fool’. On the album ‘Tribute to Bobby’ Hucknall’s compelling vocals emphasise the sentiment of each of the twelve cover songs, whilst masterfully adopting the songs and making them entirely his own.

The Manchester leg of the tour touches down at the Apollo on 3rd July.