Theirs is a spicy gumbo of the blues, with hearty amounts of gospel, rock and soul mixed in to further the flavor. Unbridled optimism is stirred throughout, too; in some respects, it’s the okra and/or filé powder that gives the stew a rich and thick consistency.
That faith and hope are likely leftovers from the childhoods of sisters Tierinii (lead vocals), TK (drums) and Ava (violin) Jackson, who performed in their church band alongside their parents and other siblings. It’s near impossible to sing gospel and not be imbued by the spirit, I think. Given their familial DNA, it should also be no surprise that their harmonies are heavenly. The band’s other member, Ori Naftaly, is an absolute wonder on guitar, laying down solos that take you there, wherever there may be.
Family, the Memphis-based band’s fourth album, conjures the fabled Stax sides of yore one moment and the legendary Ike & Tina Revue the next. “Long Is the Road,” which opens with the warm waterfall that is the Jackson sisters’ blended vocals, focuses on a road-weary musician who can’t hit the brakes. “Upside,” as I wrote a few weeks ago, is an infectious good time. “Found a Friend in You” celebrates love, friendship and rhythm, while “So Much Love” sounds like it was found on a dusty shelf in the legendary Royal Studios, where such greats as Al Green, Ann Peebles and Otis Rush have recorded. It sports a glorious old-school feel.
The uptempo “Late Night Get Down” delves into the weird deal that artists and fans make; they need us as much as we need them. “Rum Boogie” is far more than what its title indicates; as with other songs here, it delves into the band’s history, specifically how keyboardist Jerome Powell joined the fold. (He blew us away when we saw them in 2022.) “Gotta Keep the Love” tackles an issue much on the minds of many these days, I think: How to stay positive in a world of so much negativity.
The rhythmic “Sisters” celebrates familial bonds, while “Back to What Feels Right” encourages listeners to take to the dance floor and let go. “Flying” turns the fear of flying into a metaphor for something far more: “Fear won’t be defining/Any part of me/Here I am defying/Defying gravity/Sever these soul ties/It’s my fight to be free/And it’s ‘bout time to see how wide/I can spread my wings.”
The album closes with “We Are,” which finds the band’s upbeat positivity—and harmonies—on full display. It’s a tuneful reminder that peace and love can change the world: “We gotta set the tone/We gotta know our power/We gotta take control/We’re a force together/And we gotta send it on.”
Now that I think about it, I probably should have employed a BBQ metaphor up top instead of the gumbo one, given that Memphis is one of the nation’s BBQ capitals. So let’s say Southern Avenue’s meaty blues are doused in a smoky sauce that layers on the flavors of gospel, rock and soul. Three interstitials sprinkled throughout (“Family,” “Kept on Moving On,” “Believe”) further the tangy taste.
The Old Grey Cat 
One thought