Naomi Shelton shakes Harbourfront Saturday

Although Naomi Shelton, like many of her gospel singing contemporaries, grew up singing in church, the Albama-raised belter has also spent some time in New York's soul clubs. Her her late 90s sevens on the Desco label – namely 41st St. Breakdown and Wind Your Clock – were essentially the blueprint for Sharon Jones' recordings with the Dap-kings that would follow.

When Desco folded, the label's founders split up and started Soul Fire and Daptone. Shelton joined Gabriel Roth at Daptone who produced her next single, 2002's Promised Land and then eventually re-released Wind Your Clock b/w Talkin' About A Good Thing in 2009 to coincide with Shelton's long overdue debut album What Have You Done, My Brother? backed by the Gospel Queens.

What Have You Done, My Brother? is an extraordinary album by a woman who sings directly from her soul, whose experience cannot be duplicated, whose authenticity cannot be disputed. It’s an uplifting album that comes charged with a moving message of hope for a better tomorrow. Believe me when I tell you that Shelton's testimonials will hit you in the heart whatever your spiritual orientation. 

The musical director for the recording is Cliff Driver who leads the band with his inimitable honky-tonk piano style. Jimmy Hill, the organist on the session, leads his own blues and R&B band and has a pedigree rivaling Driver himself, including a stint in the late sixties backing Wilson Pickett. The record also features guitarist Thomas “TNT” Brenneck and "Bosco Mann", both of Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings fame.

Brenneck is also part of The Budos Band, The Menahan Street Band, and produces recordings for his own imprint, Dunham Records. When our man Brenneck needed some superbly soulful vocal support on a Charles Bradley session for Dunham, he naturally enlisted Naomi Shelton and her Gospel Queens. That heavenly match-up resulted in Bradley's breakthrough single The World (Is Going Up In Flames). Now that the Screaming Eagle of Soul has taken flight, Shelton seems ready to follow.

Don't miss Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens' rare Toronto appearance as part of this weekend's Hot & Spicy Food Festival at Harbourfront Centre Saturday (July 21) at 9:30 pm. And yes, it's a free show! Harbourfront's food fest wraps up Sunday with a free matinee performance by Slim Moore and the Mar-Kays at 4:30 pm which is also well worth checking.