This album was released on all platforms on May 2, so it is widely available now. We have been following Emma since the release of her debut album, “Wish Her Well.” when we spoke to her about how she set about that debut, she told us, “the guys said, ‘Emma, just make a great album; let it come from the heart.’ They entrusted me with that and believed that I knew enough about my voice and what I wanted to get across, and don’t forget, I’ve been singing a long time, doing gig after gig, from weddings to parties to huge festivals, and on every gig you learn something. You learn about your voice or about a song. Maybe you deliver a line and it triggers something in your emotions, so I brought all that to the album.”
Emma always brings an emotive connection to her music.
I will first provide the press release for you to have a look at:
British rhythm and blues artist Emma Wilson releases her 3rd album through Memphis-based distribution giants “Select-O-Hits.” Following on from the success of Emma’s 2022 all-original Americana-influenced excellent debut album, “Wish Her Well,” and her exquisitely soulful and highly acclaimed STAX-esque 2023 release, “Memphis Calling,” recorded at Sam Phillips Recording Studios’ with The Hi Rhythm Section and featuring the international hit “What Kind of Love,” Emma Wilson featuring Don Bryant. Returning to her beloved Memphis in May 2024, Emma performed at the inaugural “RiverBeat” festival as a guest of “The Bo-Keys” (bandleader Scott Bomar produced “Memphis Calling”) she attended the USA Blues Awards and then drove down to Clarksdale, where she performed at the legendary “Ground Zero Club” at the invitation of the “Pinetop Perkins Foundation.”
Visiting Clarksdale created the spark for Emma’s new album, “A Spoonful of Willie Dixon.” Having recorded Willie’s “Hoochie Coochie Ma(ma)” on her album “Memphis” Calling”—prompting Hi Rhythm Section pianist Archie ‘Hubbie’ Turner to exclaim, “She’s not from Middlesbrough, she’s from Mississippi!” Emma felt welcomed and was inspired to make an album that showed her deep respect for the Blues and showcased her extraordinary voice through the brilliant compositions of the great Willie Dixon. Performing more of Willie’s songs in her live set felt so good, and her superb British band played them so well. Having toured Europe, their sound was developing a groove and rawness of its own.
The album was created in Crystal Ship Studios, Sheffield, England, during January 2025. Wilson co-produced with her drummer, Mark Barrett.
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My review:
The album has 6 songs and runs to 31 minutes
“Spoonful” opens up to a bit of funky honky-tonk instrumental before those gravelly, blues-based vocals from Emma. Although written by Willie Dixon, this one was first recorded in 1960 by Howlin Wolf. It is a blues staple, and this version gives a heavy feel to it, with a good piano beat and that haunting feel to the emotion of the vocal.
“Good to the Last Drop” is more upbeat; it has a dance feel to the vibes, and the piano absolutely hits the mark. Remember, those bluesmen like BB were always entertainers, and if you feel a bit of a boogie coming on, you can definitely get down to this one. It continues with the sense of a tribute from the heart.
“I Can’t Quit You Baby” moves to a slower beat for this song made familiar by Otis Rush. Somewhere in the undergrowth hiding within this rendition is a smoky jazz vocal and that sense of those old clubs where the rhythm flowed and the nights were long. Some great instrumental work from the band here.
“Wang Dang Doodle.” This is probably my favorite from the album. It pulses with life and rhythm. Of course I have no idea what you do when you Wang Dang Doodle ‘all night long.’ But it sounds like some good fun to me, and the band kicks off their shoes and joins in this free-flowing rendition.
“I Want to be Loved” delivers a nice and dirty blues rework. It has a heavy feel, the drums providing a fine heartbeat and it almost has a big musical feel about it.
“It Don’t Make Sense” (You Can’t Make Peace). This one runs to nearly 8 minutes and is the longest track on the album by some margin. The length allows it to shift moods and atmosphere. It is a pull from Dixon’s lesser-known tracks—I’d never heard it. This means Emma can really create a new space for her listener. It is definitely an album high point, a musical journey that (again) moved me toward those twenties, Harding White House jazz-age days.
Standout out tracks: “Wang Dang Doodle” and “It Don’t Make Sense” (You Can’t Make Peace)
In summary: Emma Wilson delivers a sultry, soulful tribute with all the swagger, sweat, and sass the blues demands. Across six tracks and 31 minutes, she doesn’t just revisit Willie Dixon’s legacy—she revives it with fire and finesse. From back-alley jazz to juke-joint stompers, this album is a short, sharp shot of blues gold.
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You can stream music by Emma Wilson here
Artist website here
By Stevie Ritson