Melissa Etheridge is an of-the-people kind of singer. There may be nothing that embodies heartland values more than her fearlessness about making enemies and singing out against injustice. Listen to her moving spiritual fragment “God Is in the People” to get a sense of how she views things. She’s always had a civil rights/social-justice/environmentalist streak.
Her latest album, “Memphis Rock and Soul,” is a tribute to that musical city, home of Elvis and Al Green. It’s a tribute to Stax Records, specifically, heavy on the soul. She does an admirable cover of “Respect Yourself (People Stand Up),” the Staple Singers’ anthem to pride and self-reliance. She does some well known tunes and some that are a bit more obscure. She’s been at it for 30 years, writing her own memorable songs (“Come To My Window”), and this project gave her a chance to pay tribute to the label and to Otis Redding in particular.
Melissa Etheridge comes to College Street Music Hall, 238 College St., New Haven, Tuesday, May 2, at 8 p.m. $52.50 and $75.50. collegestreetmusichall.com.
![By JAKE COYLE (AP Film Writer) NEW YORK (AP) — “The Fall Guy,” the Ryan Gosling-led, action-comedy ode to stunt performers, opened below expectations with $28.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday, providing a lukewarm start to a summer movie season that’s very much to be determined for Hollywood. The Universal Pictures release opened on […]](https://www.courant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Film_-_The_Fall_Guy_54148.jpg?w=620 "By JAKE COYLE (AP Film Writer) NEW YORK (AP) — “The Fall Guy,” the Ryan Gosling-led, action-comedy ode to stunt performers, opened below expectations with $28.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday, providing a lukewarm start to a summer movie season that’s very much to be determined for Hollywood. The Universal Pictures release opened on […]")
![By BRIAN MELLEY (Associated Press) LONDON (AP) — Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and went down with the ship as the captain in “Titanic,” has died. Hill, 79, passed away Sunday morning, agent Lou Coulson […]](https://www.courant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Obit_Bernard_Hill_65721.jpg?w=274 "By BRIAN MELLEY (Associated Press) LONDON (AP) — Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and went down with the ship as the captain in “Titanic,” has died. Hill, 79, passed away Sunday morning, agent Lou Coulson […]")
