Ralph ‘Soul’ Jackson

Jackson’s warm drawl, maneuvering between tenderness and desperation, steals the show, and fortunately for us, he’s still out there performing, ensuring that this great music is not confined to retrospection.
-Lee Bains III, Thicket

Ralph ‘Soul’ Jackson – You have to be good if they let you use that word alone as your nickname.
-Mike Wolf, Time Out NY

On the bill was Ralph ‘Soul’ Jackson, an Alabama soul man who scored regional hits recording in Muscle Shoals during the mid-1960s. Backed by Wiley & the Checkmates, Jackson was once again in the Spotlight, delivering those hits in a style that complimented his crimson suit and tuxedo shirt. Shouting, “This is the way we do it in the dirty South!” Jackson turned the lawn into a dance party.
Mark Guarino, Chicago Sun Times

Although the wheels of fate kept Jackson from ever hitting the big time, he’s not just another oddity from the crypt. His upbeat southern soul style is as much of a floor-filler as any chart topper from Stax.
-Alison Fensterstock, New Orleans Gambit

When Jackson strode out it immediately kicked to a higher level. Here was a time-warp, slightly manic, fully fledged soul man who may have missed out on the big breaks way back when, but still has the goods when most of his brethren are dead and gone. Suddenly we were back in the golden era…Classic soul music was alive and well.
-Keith Glass, Rhythms (Australia)

Ralph Jackson working the room like a tent-show preacher with the Devil breathing down his neck, it was hard to single out individual moments…
-John T. Davis, AUSTIN 360

Ralph is an excellent showman and he’s still got a killer voice. I’ve seen him in front of a 10-piece band, just killing it, and I’ve seen him alone at the piano, entertaining a class full of kids at the Good Shepherd Elementary School. He knows what he’s doing and he has fun doing it, which is key.
-Dr. Ike, Ponderosa Stomp