Bobby Harden & Soul Purpose

Bobby performs tracks from his 2 fine CD's, plus some selected classic soul/r&b tunes.His trademark tune,his own recorded version of Soul Man involves Bobby going thru the audience w wireless mike getting fans to dance w (link hidden)WAYS a hit !

When Bobby Harden declares himself a soul man, it’s not some idle bit of role-playing or show biz braggadocio; it’s a straightforward description of his calling in life. There’s a reason his first solo album was titled Soul Purpose. And even though he had to go through a 16-year odyssey before finally following that album up with his new record, River of Soul, Harden has never wavered in his commitment.
The Ohio-born, New York-based singer has been all over the globe as a front man for the Blues Brothers Band (yes, the one made famous by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd), working alongside Stax guitarist Steve Cropper. But for all the electrifying energy Harden pours out with them, he’s truly at his most emotionally expressive when he’s giving his all in front of his own Soul Purpose band.
Bobby ended up coming across just the right collaborators for his second album,including Brian Knox. Armed with new material, Harden enlisted the aid of drummer/producer Adrian Harpham, who has been involved with everyone from Dr. John to R&B supergroup Lucy Pearl, and soon things were up and running.
Leon Pendarvis, Blues Brothers keyboardist as well as a Musical Director for the Saturday Night Live band, soon became a crucial component of the creative process. “I had sent Leon the tracks to get his input on the material, mix, etc.,” says Harden. “His ideas were brilliant. Leon has worked with Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, and so many other great artists. He agreed to help finish up the mixes and mastered my entire project.”
Harden has found vocal inspiration in the legends of gospel (James Cleveland, Andre Crouch), soul (Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett), and blues (Johnny Adams, B.B. King), but there’s one man whose music has truly helped make him who he is. “James Brown had the biggest influence on me,” Harden reveals, “When I first heard James Brown, I was just about 5 or 6 years old. At that time, I didn’t know I had a good singing voice, but I knew I loved to dance, and JB music would make me dance hard. When I had to learn ‘Sex Machine,’ ‘Cold Sweat,’ and ‘I Got The Feelin’’ with my first band, every bit of my gospel energy was released. “
But while Harden’s influences are deeply felt and undeniably audible in his music, River of Soul is anything but a retro effort. “I’m not one to stay stuck in the mud by thinking there’s only one way to record R&B,” he says. “But I do think the foundation of a solid R&B groove has to be there.”
The songs Harden and company have cut for this project bear those ideas out. “I think my new album definitely has a stronger groove foundation,” assesses Harden. It also has more of an R&B /soul vibe.
Indelible melodies and strong storylines are at the heart of River of Soul. “’Where Is The Love’ has one of those magnetic grooves driven by the bass line, offers Harden, “Gene Torres, my bass player, and I wrote this one. ‘Try Again,’ co-written with Brian Knox, is also one of my favorites. I think a lot of people will relate to the story line of the song because it’s all about not giving up, and the groove is funky! Another one of my favorites is ‘Not Ready,’ also co-written by Brian Knox. This song has a hook that grabs you instantly, backed with a kick-butt rhythm. It’s all about not being forced into a relationship that you’re not ready for yet. ‘You Make My Heart Sing’ is one of the very first songs I wrote when I lived in Houston, Texas.
For Harden, River of Soul is not just a collection of songs; it’s a feeling that flows from deep within him to anyone willing to wade in and be washed over with the joy he takes in sharing his gift with the (link hidden)bby is also about to benefit from the release of a new long-awaited record by The Original Blues Brothers Band , about to be released on Severn Records {SONY}.Bobby is featured on “You left the Water Running “ and “Itch and Scratch”, besides sharing vocals with guests (link hidden)hn,Joe Louis Walker , Eddie Floyd and Paul Schaffer.
Bobby looks forward to touring Europe and the US in 2018 with both his own fine band and The Original Blues Brothers.

Stage should comfortably accomadate an 9 (link hidden), but we have been (link hidden)ould have a professional house sound engineer, and a quality PA w 5 monitors if (link hidden)ually put the keys thru the house.