Bridge City Revival (BCR) is a new soul music collective from Portland, Oregon, brought together by friendship and inspired by the soulful sounds of the 1960s. At the core of the project are bandleader and trumpeter Farnell Newton, guitarist Gus Berry, keyboardist/bassist Michael Elson, and drummer Tyrone Hendrix. Taking their cues from masters of the style like The Chi-Lites, Otis Redding, The Isley Brothers, Lee Fields, and Sharon Jones, BCR’s sound and rai·son d'ê·tre are encapsulated in their name — giving new life to great soul music through a distinctly Portland pitch. The result is ample groovy drum breaks, driving bass lines, rhythmic guitar interplay, rolling keyboards, and soulful brass — a revival of Portland soul music like nothing before it.

Introducing Bridge City Revival

Lucky Me

Bridge City Revival - Lucky Me feat. Arietta Ward

With butter-smooth vocals from Redray Frazier, a guitar riff that will break your heart, and horns that lovingly put it back together, Bridge City Revival’s “Slow Train” will bathe you in bittersweet nostalgia with a tune that eclipses time.⁠

Slow Train

Bridge City Revival - Slow Train feat. Redray Frazier

Bridge City Revival is Farnell Newton, Tyrone Hendrix, Michael Elson, and Gus Berry.

Produced By Farnell Newton, Ryan Wines, Bob Werner, and Graham Barton

Trombone: Kyle Molitor
Baritone Saxophone: Mieke Bruggeman
Percussion: Andrew Borger
Xylophone: Kaydence Carter 

Recorded at Marmoset Studios by Graham Barton
Additional Tracking at Anjuna Recording Studio
Mixed by Gus Berry
Mastered By Doug Krebs
Label Manager Laura Hardin

Design by JP Downer
Photography by Kale Chesney
Drums Courtesy of Revival Drum Shop

You and Me

Bridge City Revival - You And Me feat. Ural Thomas

Jamming with Victor Wooten at Apple Music Row in Portland, OR! 

Jamming with Victor Wooten at Apple Music Row

How can we at Posi-Tone show our sincere appreciation and affection for one of the world's greatest songwriters? What kind of special 70th birthday surprise can we give someone who has already received almost every accolade and award imaginable? Maybe we could accomplish both of these objectives simultaneously by honoring him with the release of a special compilation of his music! “Tales of Wonder” is a collection of instrumental jazz interpretations of some of his most popular compositions lovingly performed by a wide variety of artists from our talented roster.

Tales Of Wonder - A Jazz Celebration of Stevie

All In Love Is Fair

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Farnell Newton - All In Love Is Fair

One of the busiest, most productive and most versatile musicians around here is Farnell Newton.
It’s been way too long since Farnell has visited the podcast…five years, even. Are we that old? I guess we are.
He’s back as trumpeter, composer, producer and label owner. He had multiple working ensemble before the tribulations hit.
Those tribulations have not stopped him from composing, playing and starting a new label…lofisouljazz….all one word. There’s a new compilation album just out featuring Farnell and lots of collaborators.
Listen to a track at the end of our conversation.
Let’s catch up with Farnell.

Farnell Newton, a new label of his own and keeping very busy in the time of covid / CC#253

Trumpeter Farnell Newton is one of the most versatile musicians & educators in the Northwest, playing straight ahead jazz, smooth jazz, Latin music, soul, hip hop, funk and more.