(April 8, 2020) There’s a seemingly easier way and there’s the harder way. The easier way for an R&B artist to advance in this industry may be to adopt the vocal stylings and instrumental arrangements of contemporary R&B. The more challenging route would be for an artist to embrace the elements of classic soul and advance and interpret them on their own terms.
Thankfully on her latest single, “Save Me,” soul singer Stephanie McCourt chose the latter path. McCourt is a performer of Irish and Zambian heritage who grew up admiring Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Etta James, Janis Joplin and James Brown, just to name a few. While her background and nationality might distinguish her from those greats, she did share some similarities with them. Namely, McCourt was born to sing, and has been singing since she was two years old.
(April 8, 2020) There’s a seemingly easier way and there’s the harder way. The easier way for an R&B artist to advance in this industry may be to adopt the vocal stylings and instrumental arrangements of contemporary R&B. The more challenging route would be for an artist to embrace the elements of classic soul and advance and interpret them on their own terms.
Thankfully on her latest single, “Save Me,” soul singer Stephanie McCourt chose the latter path. McCourt is a performer of Irish and Zambian heritage who grew up admiring Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Etta James, Janis Joplin and James Brown, just to name a few. While her background and nationality might distinguish her from those greats, she did share some similarities with them. Namely, McCourt was born to sing, and has been singing since she was two years old.
On “Save Me,” listeners will hear all those years of wood shedding and the time she spent at Brighton Institute of Modern Music. With McCourt’s big, rangy and power packed vocal, those kicking drums (and I mean real drums), blaring horns and church inspired electric organ, “Save Me” has that throwback sound. The tune also has a message about the life and soul saving decision to take agency over one’s own life. McCourt definitely decided to pursue the path less taken on “Save Me” and listeners will agree that the hard way yields rewards for singer and listeners alike. Check “Save Me” out here.
World Premiere Video
Stephanie McCourt - "Save Me"