Lynne Jackaman's rock and soul dream
Her powerhouse vocals put the muscle into Muscle Shoals and now Lynne Jackaman is heading to Newcastle. Simon Rushworth previews a Cluny must-see.
That Lynne Jackaman laid down the tracks for critically acclaimed solo debut One Shot in the heart of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, means so much to a true student of rock, soul and Americana. Realising her ambition in the same room that’s inspired everyone from Aretha Franklin to Alica Keys and Otis Redding to Wilson Pickett made for a life-affirming experience and added true authenticity to a deeply personal project.
“There were so many legendary musicians there and I was fortunate to meet some of my heroes,” recalls Lynne as she looks back fondly on One Shot’s glorious evolution. “In terms of a lifetime ambition and a significant career goal, cutting a record at FAME Studios was a big box ticked.”
Although those treasured memories only seem like yesterday, Muscle Shoals was more than six years ago. And although Lynne’s excited to give One Shot one more shot, as she revives a weighty record denied its initial live flush by a global pandemic, her focus is firmly on the future. Four UK headline shows in February — including a hotly anticipated stop at Newcastle’s Cluny — afford a generational talent the opportunity to celebrate a truly transformational album and yet it’s what lies ahead, rather than what’s coloured her past, that’s getting the creative juices flowing.
“The live band is the same band that’s been recording new songs,” she explains. “I’m keen that there’s a collective consciousness at the heart of what comes next. We’ll take it from rehearsals to pre-production and from production to the actual shows. It’s about slowly building that fire.
“The music comes first. It’s that simple. You can’t press play on something that’s supposed to excite people if the people who are playing it aren’t excited! You’ve got to give it time. Like anything, new music needs to be nurtured. It needs investment. So we’re busy behind the scenes experimenting and unlocking new things every day.”
Will there be new music teased in Newcastle on February 12? “Let’s wait and see,” responds Lynne, sensibly refusing to commit either way. It’s quite obvious that a musician who burst onto the scene with hotly tipped classic rockers St Jude in the late noughties is desperately resisting the urge to showcase the next chapter in a compelling story. And yet staying true to One Shot is important. Her loyalty towards that record and the people who helped to shape it remains refreshingly unflinching.
“One Shot was very much a labour of love,” admits Lynne, who’s reviving a remarkably honest set of heartfelt songs for a rare live outing. “I was writing lots of songs back then, co-writing with some great musicians, and I was playing quite a few of those songs live. I reached a position where I felt ready to record a new album.
“I met Jamie Evans (One Shot producer) and I decided to crowdfund what would become the album. I had the opportunity to go to Muscle Shoals and returned armed with the record I imagined would underpin my live set for the next two years.”
It didn’t turn out that way. First Lynne found herself caught up in the collapse of pioneering direct-to-fan crowd funding platform Pledge Music and then the pandemic hit. One Shot was finally released in August 2020 but any dreams of playing those precious songs live were dashed. For an artist who comes alive on stage, famed for her close connection with a loyal fan base, dealing with successive lockdowns was difficult in the extreme.
“I wasn’t alone,” adds Lynne. “And there were so many people who found themselves in a worse position than me. But my music belongs in the live arena and I’d poured my heart and soul into One Shot with that end goal in mind.
“It was strange releasing new music during lockdown. Even though I felt a massive sense of relief that people could finally hear One Shot, I also struggled with the fact that I couldn’t tour. I love the live experience. I leave nothing out there. It’s where I built my reputation and where I’ll always put that reputation on the line. One Shot has never been centre stage in front of the fans. It’s time to put that right.”
Whether it’s inherent positivity, years of pent-up frustration or a combination of both — Lynne’s long-awaited return to the live stage will be fuelled by raw emotion and a desire to be heard. Time passes but talent prevails and it feels as if 2026 is her time. Four low key and intimate February shows are simply the end of the beginning where Lynne’s concerned.
“It feels like I’m on the precipice of something special again,” she enthuses. “It felt the same before we upped sticks and headed to Muscle Shoals. There are new songs, there’s a new band and everything feels bright and shiny again. This isn’t my first rodeo but it does feel like a fresh start.
“I’m as excited as I was when I first began and it feels, in a way, like a reset and a new beginning. I can use everything I’ve learned and every challenge I’ve faced to approach the future with confidence. Who knows what that future might hold? What works this week might not work next week — the music industry’s a scarily unpredictable place. But you’ve got to be in it to win it!”
That Newcastle is one of just four ‘comeback’ dates is no coincidence. Three of Lynne’s four February shows are deliberately ‘northern’ (the Londoner plays Sheffield and Huddersfield prior to a hometown show) and she’s convinced taking One Shot to the regions is the right move. “Look, it would have been easy to play a couple of gigs in London and leave it at that before pressing ahead with our plans for 2026,” she adds. “But I wanted to get out there in front of famously honest crowds who tell it like it is and appreciate artists making the effort to play their towns.
“I’ve never performed at The Cluny but I always connected with the people of the North East and I can’t wait to play Newcastle. I’ve got so many friends up there and it’ll be a special night after being away for so long.
“I’ve just added Dean Parker to the Newcastle show. He comes highly recommended by the amazing Pete Shoulder (Winterville, The Union, One More Satellite) who I’d tasked with finding me a North East guest. Get there early — this guy is so good!
“I haven’t gigged properly for a while so February is all about getting the conversation started again, reconnecting with my fans and remembering what it means to live these experiences. Let’s see how it goes. But I’m incredibly excited!”
Lynne Jackaman plays Newcastle Cluny on February 12. Tickets are available from the venue.