PREVIEW & AUDIO CHAT: UK soul queen Beverley Knight brings Soulsville to Yorkshire

Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda...don't be saying that next week - get your tickets now for UK soul queen Beverley Knight playing two big Yorkshire concerts this week.
UK soul queen Beverley KnightUK soul queen Beverley Knight
UK soul queen Beverley Knight

Stunning 43-year-old singing sensation Beverley, now also doyenne of the West End, is on a UK tour promoting forthcoming album. Soulsville - watch her mini documentary about making the album below.

She plays Sheffield City Hall on Wednesday, June 1, visit www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk, then York Barbican, on Friday, June 3, see www.yorkbarbican.co.uk,

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BUY ALBUM: Pre-order Beverley Knights new album Soulsville on iTunes or from Amazon.

Beverley will be performing tracks from the new album, songs from her huge West End roles in the Likes of The Bodyguard and, of course, her greatest hits, including Come As You Are and Shoulda Woulda Coulda,

Beverley is currently half away through a 14-date tour, which is taking her all over the country - full details below - plugging her eighth album, Soulsville, out on East West records on June 10.

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Newly signed to East West /Warner Music, the album is a celebration of the music, sounds and legacy of Memphis.

It's more than 20 years since the release her debut album The B- Funk and six years since her last.

Beverley said: "I'm so excited. It's been a long time. It's been five years since the last tour. I'm glad to be back.

"I will be featuring the new album of course, seeing what people think of the new material for the first time, plus all the hits that people know from down the years and a nod to my time in the West End as well. It will be a power-packed show."

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Beverley has been one of the UK's most consistent artists for two decades, selling more than a million albums in the UK along the way, including four gold certified albums.

Accolades include an MBE awarded by the Queen in 2007 for her services to music and charity, three MOBO Awards, several Brit Awards nominations and an outstanding achievement award at The Urban Music Awards.

The Wolverhampton singing sensation has recently forged a formidable parallel career in London’s West End, starting with her highly acclaimed debut starring role as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard in 2013 - a role she will reprise, fort a limited six month run, in July.

In 2014 she took on the role role of club singer Felicia Farrell in the hit show Memphis The Musical, for which she received widespread praise from critics and an Olivier Award Nomination as Best Actress in a Musical. The production won Best New Musical at the 2015 What’s On Stage Awards and received more Olivier Award nominations than any other West End show in 2015.

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Her outstanding live performances as a touring artist have gained her a legion of famous fans over the years, from David Bowie to Prince, Stevie Wonder to Quincy Jones. She has collaborated on stage and on record with the likes of Prince, Jamiroquai, Bryan Adams, Ronnie Wood, Andrea Bocelli, Lionel Richie, Take That and Chaka Kahn.

Soulsville, her first new album in almost five years, was recorded in a week long session in February at Al Green producer Willie Mitchell’s legendary Royal Studios, in Memphis itself.

This was the studio where Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ Grammy winning Uptown Funk was also recorded - along with every Al Green classic.

Beverley return to the city she fell in love with during preparations for her 2015 Oliver Award nominated role in the hit west end show Memphis The Musical

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The album itself is a mix of original songs and a handful of Memphis classics, exploring the sounds and reflects the soulful vibes of a city that also gave the likes of Booker T, Howlin Wolf and Aretha Franklin.

She collaborates on the album with Jamie Cullum, on a version of William Bell and Judy Clay’s Private Number, and with Jools Holland on Big Momma Thornton’s Hound Dog, later a monster hit for Elvis Presley and a nod to the inextricable link between Memphis and The King.

It also features original Memphis soul man Sam Moore of Sam and Dave, giving their super high energy take on the duo’s classic stomper Hold On I’m Coming.

Beverley has also been working on new songs with the likes of Jimmy Hogarth (Adele, Duffy) - with whom she co wrote opening single Middle Of Love, also out June 10, and Matty Benbrook, who works with Paolo Nutini.

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Three time MOBO winner Beverley is following in the illustrious footsteps of great artists including Dusty Springfield who have all taken the journey to Memphis to drink in the city’s unique musical vibes.

Beverley Knight UK Tour 2016

Monday 30 May- Edinburgh Queen Hall

Wednesday 1 June- Sheffield City Hall

Thursday 2 June- Birmingham Symphony Hall

Friday 3 June- York Barbican

Sunday 5 June- Gateshead Sage

Monday 6 June- Bristol Colston Hall

Tuesday 7 June- Brighton Dome

Tickets are available through usual outlets and gigsandtours