Hot on the heels of the recently released 3614 Jackson Highway, Swedish singer/songwriter Jesper Lindell has released his cover of Otis Clay’s Tryin’ to Live My Life Without You from his forthcoming album Royal, which is out on June 26th via Yep Roc Records – watch it below. The song features Canadian singer-songwriter and actress Frazey Ford. The album is available for pre-order here.
In 2024, 30-year-old Jesper Lindell took his band The Brunnsvik Sounds on a pilgrimage across the Atlantic to better understand where his favourite music comes from. The destinations were two truly classic studios: Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama and Royal Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. Two days were booked in each studio, and they managed to record two albums’ worth of material in four days. The first album was 3614 Jackson Highway, reviewed here, a collection of songs originally recorded at Muscle Shoals, which was released in March and was documented in the film From Muscle Shoals to Memphis: Jesper Lindell’s Four-Day Soul Pilgrimage Pt. 1. This second selection of songs, Royal, celebrates the rich musical history of Memphis.
Of the single, Lindell offers, “Otis Clay’s ‘Trying to Live My Life Without You’ was the first track I chose for us to record at Royal. I’ve always had a deep appreciation for that song, as well as for the classic Royal Studio recordings Willie Mitchell produced with the artists at Hi Records. I had watched Frazey Ford’s ‘September Fields’ video many times—the song and film were recorded at Royal Studios during her Indian Ocean sessions. As Frazey rarely releases new music or takes part in collaborations, I initially assumed it would be impossible to involve her. However, when Björn mentioned that he works with and knows Frazey and her team, I decided to take a chance and reach out. After some time, she said yes, and her contribution brings a truly distinctive character and an effortless sense of cool to the track.”
In Memphis, Lindell and his band were welcomed by studio owner and engineer Boo Mitchell (son of the legendary founder and forever musical mayor of the city, Willie Mitchell), standing in the space that remains nearly unchanged since its glory days with Hi Records, when Al Green, Otis Clay, Ann Peebles, and Syl Johnson recorded there. On the album, they’ve created versions of songs associated with giants such as Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, The Staple Singers, Willie Nelson, The Box Tops, Rod Stewart, and Dusty Springfield. At the same time, they give just as much love to songs tied to lesser-known but equally important artists like Margie Joseph, Dan Penn, Donnie Fritts, Tony Joe White and The Amazing Rhythm Aces.
“I know some might think it’s presumptuous of us to tackle a bunch of immortal songs that already exist in exquisite versions. But to dive deep into the material, to actually play and sing the songs instead of just listening to them—that was an invaluable experience for us, one we learned a lot from. I’m grateful I got to do this and proud of the result,” says Lindell.
Born and raised in the small lakeside town of Ludvika, Sweden, Jesper Lindell first came up through the local scene playing rock, roots, and R&B in modest bars and rehearsal rooms, developing a reverence for classic American songwriting and the warm, analogue textures of the ’60s and ’70s. His breakout EP was Little Less Blue, recorded with members of First Aid Kit. Lindell’s subsequent albums, including the lush, horn-streaked Twilights and the expansive Before the Sun, cemented his reputation as an artist to be watched.
“Royal” Tracklisting:
1. Wearin’ That Loved-On Look
2. King of the Cowboys
3. Sweeter Tomorrow
4. I Can’t Stand the Rain
5. When Something Is Wrong with My Baby
6. The Letter
7. No Easy Way Down
8. Tryin’ to Live My Life Without You (feat. Frazey Ford)
9. Whicha Way Did It Go
