Show Review: Mike Farris in Decatur Alabama

Mike Farris at Jammin’ Java earlier this year, photo by Melissa Clarke

Mike Farris- The Tennessee Soul Man at Princess Theater in Decatur Alabama 

 I recently had the good fortune to attend Mike Farris’ solo acoustic show in the Singer- Songwriter Listening Room inside the beautiful and historic Princess Theater in Decatur Alabama. Mike is the consummate showman, telling stories about his life growing up around Winchester, Tennessee, in a community called Belvedere. He also encouraged the audience to participate in singalongs, most interestingly when he did an acoustic version of Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day.” There were some great harmony singers in attendance.

 Mike told of his early musical influences- Black Spirituals- Sister Rosetta Tharpe and New Orleans born Gospel Blues singer Mahaliah Jackson to name a couple.  After hearing his performance that night and listening to his previous albums, I can also hear Sam Moore, one half of the Stax duo Sam and Dave, Al Green, and at times, Greg Allman. His 2007 album “Salvation In Lights” features examples of these songs- “Sit Down Servant”, “Mary Don’t You Weep”, and “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” He also told of the period in his life leading up to this album, where he was apprehensive about doing anything involving the music business because of the trappings and temptations that can go with it, but his manager got him a record deal where he was able to do the music he wanted to do.

 Mike also did “Jonah And The Whale” from his 2014 album, Shine For All The People. When I listen to the track from the album with all the instruments, it has a cool Stax Records/Booker T and The MGS vibe with great Hammond organ, Steve Cropper like guitar lines and killer horns.

 He did “Ease On” from his 2025 album The Sound Of Muscle Shoals, which brings forth a message his mother gave him, that no matter what we face in this life, everything’s going to be all right. The album was recorded at FAME Studios and features many legendary musicians I’ve had the good fortune to work with myself- keyboardist Clayton Ivey, Guitarists Kelvin Holly and Will McFarlane, drummer Justin Holder, and Jimbo Hart, former bassist for Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit. As I listen to the album version, it’s a really funky, bluesy track featuring Clayton’s nice Wurlitzer parts, Kelvin’s Baritone Guitar, and some awesome guitar solos reminiscent of Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, plus solid drumming and percussion-especially the tambourine.

 The show was a couple of days before Valentines Day so Mike took time to pay tribute to his wife with “Let Me Love You Baby,” a Willie Dixon song from his 2018 album Silver and Stone and “Tennessee Girl” also from that album. He also stated that he was more in love with her than ever, and how fortunate he was to have her to cook pinto beans, turnip greens, and cornbread for him every week, and biscuits and gravy EVERY day. Who can ask for more?

 He continued with “Bird In The Rain” from “The Sound of Muscle Shoals”. The album track is a really laid back and reminds me of Aretha Franklins “Chain Of Fools” with Kelvin’s Baritone guitar once again, and a bassline reminiscent of the great Tommy Cogbill.

 Next Mike did a great cover of Tom T Hall’s “That’s How I Got To Memphis” and he dedicated Taj Mahal’s “Going Up To The Country” to his late manager Rose MacGatha, who encouraged him to sing the music he loved and who sadly passed away in 2007- he played guitar and harmonica and sang for this one.

 Then he played “John The Revelator” originally written and recorded by Blind Willie Johnson in 1930. It’s with songs like these that Mike shines the most on- you can sense his passion and enthusiasm singing them.

 Continuing, Mike did a song called “Swingin” from “The Sound Of Muscle Shoals” which is a cover of a lesser known song by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. The album cut features some great pedal steel and outstanding slide guitar, tasty piano parts, and fabulous guitar solos.

 I’d also like to mention Mike and The Blind Boys of Alabama’s version of “Respect Yourself” from the Muscle Shoals: Small Town, Big Sound album. I love the Staple Singers and they recorded both  “I’ll Take You There” and “Respect Yourself” at Muscle Shoals Sound. Each of them feature my friend David Hood on bass- the former became his “calling card.” Sometimes David would warm up with the latter in the studio before a session, and it would send chills up my spine. That was akin to watching Hank Aaron hit home runs at batting practice. Mike and the Blind Boys did a fantastic job on that one.

 At the end of the show Mike described what it was like to be able to record at FAME, where Wilson Pickett cut “634-5789,” “Mustang Sally” and others and sang a little bit of both songs.

 I highly recommend seeing Mike either solo, or with his full band if you want to hear one of the most soulful singers in the world. It was worth the 2 hour drive to and from Decatur. I also recommend buying The Sound Of Muscle Shoals. Mike also mentioned that he hopes to record another album in Muscle Shoals sometime in the near future, so stay tuned.  

Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Mike Farris “The Sounds of Muscle Shoals” and here: Show Review: Mike Farris at Jammin’ Java