First Listen: Jo Harman and Mike Mayfield strip down a soul classic

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    (March 7, 2022) She’s an international recording artist who’s been called “the finest female soul and blues vocalist in the UK.” And he’s an in-demand session musician who’s been praised for his “unique soulful vocals and astonishing guitar playing.”  We’re speaking of Jo Harman and Mike Mayfield, respectively.  These two soulful singers have come together to cover the Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell classic, “You’re All I Need to Get By,” one of the most beloved Motown duets. 

    It's not surprising that Jo and Mike remade this soul classic because of their musical résumés.  Jo has previously performed duets with Michael McDonald, Will Downing, and legendary Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier.  And Mike has collaborated with soul legends like Betty Wright, in addition to playing alongside modern-day soul artists including Joss Stone and Emeli Sandé.

    (March 7, 2022) She’s an international recording artist who’s been called “the finest female soul and blues vocalist in the UK.” And he’s an in-demand session musician who’s been praised for his “unique soulful vocals and astonishing guitar playing.”  We’re speaking of Jo Harman and Mike Mayfield, respectively.  These two soulful singers have come together to cover the Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell classic, “You’re All I Need to Get By,” one of the most beloved Motown duets. 

    It's not surprising that Jo and Mike remade this soul classic because of their musical résumés.  Jo has previously performed duets with Michael McDonald, Will Downing, and legendary Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier.  And Mike has collaborated with soul legends like Betty Wright, in addition to playing alongside modern-day soul artists including Joss Stone and Emeli Sandé.

    For their rendition of “You’re All I Need to Get By,” Jo and Mike did not make a carbon copy of the original; rather, they performed the song in their own style, in a way that came naturally to them.  As a matter of fact, the pair recorded their acoustic version “entirely organically, live in a single take around a couple of mics with minimal self-accompaniment.”  No frills, just instruments and vocals, letting their artistry shine through.

    Listening to their cover actually feels like you’re hearing two friends hang out and sing a song of their liking.  And that’s precisely what happened.  The release of their duet ‘celebrates the fact that these friends and musical comrades are back working together after a break of several years.’

    Well, these two friends haven’t missed a beat.  They sound great together, even garnering the accolade of being a “golden-voiced duo.”  Check them out below.

    By Darnea N. Samuels

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