S8E394 - Al Green 'Let's Stay Together' with Nikki O’Neill
Our guest this week, Chicago singer-songwriter/guitarist Nikki O'Neill, moved around a lot as a child. A LOT. But no matter what life threw at her, Al Green's 1972 landmark soul/R&B release 'Let's Stay Together' always felt like home. ...
Our guest this week, Chicago singer-songwriter/guitarist Nikki O'Neill, moved around a lot as a child. A LOT. But no matter what life threw at her, Al Green's 1972 landmark soul/R&B release 'Let's Stay Together' always felt like home.
"Whether times are good or bad, happy or sad - let's stay together..."
Songs discussed in this episode: Let's Stay Together - Roberta Flack; Newcomer Blues, Drive, Square One - Nikki O'Neill; Take Me To The River, Let's Stay Together - Al Green; Let's Stay Together - Tina Turner; La-La For You, So You're Leaving, What Is This Feeling - Al Green; I Wish The Sun Could Shine On Me - Nikki O'Neill; Give Me That Old Time Religion - Famous Ward Singers; Old Time Lovin' - Al Green; I've Never Found A Girl (To Love Me Like You Do) - Eddie Floyd; I've Never Found A Girl - Al Green; How Can You Mend A Broken Heart - Bee Gees; How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, Judy, Ain't No Fun To Me - Al Green; Live Like You've Just Begun - Nikki O'Neill
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Nikki O’Neill
Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist
Nikki O’Neill, an R&B/Americana singer-songwriter and guitarist based in Chicago, is releasing her third solo album, Stories I Only Tell My Friends, on Blackbird Record Label on March 14. Featuring eleven songs written by O’Neill, it was recorded mostly live with her 5-piece band in Chicago. The album’s making was largely supported by the Illinois Arts Council, who chose O’Neill as one of their grant recipients for 2025.
Deeply in love with classic soul, rhythm & blues and gospel from an early age, O’Neill counts Pops Staples, Prince, and Teenie Hodges as her guitar heroes, but it’s songwriting that she sees as her main love. Music journalists have called her “an expressive, nuanced singer and excellent guitarist” who makes albums with songs that demonstrate “a remarkable sense of melody.”
Official website:
https://www.nikkioneill.com
Bandcamp: https://nikkioneill.bandcamp.com/