NEW SINGLE “WHEN THE BATTLE IS OVER (FT. REBECCA JADE)” NOMINATED FOR A 2022 SAN DIEGO MUSIC AWARD
“Let’s Straighten It Out captures the band’s show-stopping magic…Put this slab of vinyl on the turntable — or crank up your iPhone —and get the party started.” - No Depression
“...just plain fun. No matter your age, this is dance-around-the-living-room music.” - Twangville
“...one of the most ethnically diverse ensembles in San Diego” - San Diego Union-Tribune
“...a thrilling new approach to Soul.” - Blues Blast Magazine
“...a love letter written in album hits and deep cuts from icons who paved the way” - Blues Rock Review
"The Sully Band doesn’t just play and sing these numbers, they own them” - The Rock Doctor
“…a voice matured by a bucketload of life’s rich experiences; and finally earning his rightful place at the table" - Rocking Magpie
“...this band is firing on all cylinders….Excellent!" - Bman’s Blues Report
"If you’re looking for a party in your ears, look no further than The Sully Band…." - Mother Church Pew
LISTEN: LET’S STRAIGHTEN IT OUT!
MARCH 22, 2022 — On March 11th, San Diego’s “Best Live Band,” The Sully Band, released their debut LP Let’s Straighten It Out! via Belly Up Records/Blue Élan Records to much critical acclaim and an entry at #3 on Billboard’s Blues chart this week. The album was curated and produced by multiple GRAMMY-Award winner Chris Goldsmith. With it, Robert “Sully” Sullivan and his bluesy, nine-piece beast of a band take us on a journey through the ups, downs, and all-arounds of love by way of 10 classic ‘60s and ‘70s soul, blues, and R&B tunes.
The band celebrated the lauded debut with a triumphant album release show at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, California on March 17th, packing the legendary 600-person venue to near capacity. Special guests included Sydney Sierota of Echosmith singing a reprised version of “Cool Kids,” Rebecca Jade joining the stage for “When The Battle Is Over” and “RESPECT,” and Anthony Cullins joining for “If You Love Me Like You Say.”
While the show was already made magical by the enthusiastic crowd and guest performances, it was also an extremely personal experience for Sully himself, as the show paid tribute to his close friend and work-wife of 25 years, Russ T Nailz, a San Diego personality, who died suddenly on March 9th while filming the show he co-hosted with Sully called “On the Air with Sully, Little Tommy & Russ T Nailz.”
Photo by: Steve Sherman / @tsherms
The album’s “When The Battle Is Over (ft. Rebecca Jade)” written by Mac Rebennack (aka Dr. John) and Jessie Hill, was nominated for a 2022 San Diego Music Award for Best R&B, Funk or Soul Song.
Let’s Straighten It Out! also features Billy Preston’s “Nothing From Nothing” and Jackie Wilson’s “Higher and Higher,” treasures which share the tracklist with lesser-known nuggets like “Hallelujah, I Love Her So” by Ray Charles. The title track, first recorded by Latimore in 1974, appears alongside Shuggie Otis’ “Ice Cold Daydream,” and “I Wish It Would Rain,” first made a hit by The Temptations. On “If You Love Me Like You Say,” the late Albert “Iceman” Collins is evoked by Anthony Cullins, the 20-year-old guitar sensation from Fallbrook, California.
Anchored by GRAMMY Award-winning slayer of the bass, James East (Eric Clapton, Elton John, Michael Jackson, and many others), The Sully Band is composed of seasoned, accomplished players who hail from all over the globe. The horn section features sax-flute-harp-man Tripp Sprague (Kenny Loggins, The Little River Band, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, The Four Tops) and trumpet and flugelhorn player Steve Dillard (The Righteous Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd). According to Rock & Blues Muse, “This band sounds like they’ve been together for years.”
Click HERE to stream and download Let’s Straighten It Out!, and head over to the Blue Élan Records website to purchase merch and album bundles and pre-order Let’s Straighten It Out! on vinyl.
ABOUT BELLY UP RECORDS
Belly Up Records is the recording component of the legendary Belly Up concert venue, located in Solana Beach, California. Opened in 1974 with only a couple of mics and no stage, it soon became a frequent stop for legends like John Lee Hooker, Etta James, and BB King and hosted classic performances by Curtis Mayfield, George Clinton, The Neville Brothers, and Toots and The Maytals. Since then, many artists have stopped by on their way up the ladder, including No Doubt, Black Eyed Peas, Mumford and Sons, and Childish Gambino, while artist underplays at the venue in recent years include The Killers, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jimmy Buffett, Willie Nelson, Ben Harper, Damian Marley, and even Tom Jones. And, perhaps most famously, the Rolling Stones played a private event in 2015. With over 100 live recordings in the Belly Up catalogue, The Sully Band’s Let’s Straighten It Out! is the label’s first studio release.
ABOUT BLUE ÉLAN RECORDS
At Blue Élan Records it’s about the Music, it’s about the Artist, it’s about Collaboration. Blue Élan Records is a young and fresh independent label headquartered in Los Angeles. Founded in 2014 by veteran entertainment attorney and music lover Kirk Pasich, his son and musician Connor Pasich, and an experienced label team, Blue Élan believes in doing things differently.
Blue Élan is the happy home of more than 20 artists, including 2-time Grammy® winner Rita Coolidge, the late Rusty Young, Soul Asylum, Grammy® nominated Colin Devlin (The Devlins), Gerry Beckley (America), outlaw country's Jesse Dayton, LA’s own Ozomatli, and self-assured newcomers like Chelsea Williams and Rod Melancon, who contribute to a full house of exciting and diverse talent across all genres. Blue Élan embraces a self-starting ingenuity and offers our artists a creative and nurturing music haven where they can continue to grow and flourish.