Genuine Rhythm & The Blues

Performer: Delbert McClinton
Producer: Andy McKaie; Pat Lawrence; Andy McKaie (Compilation)
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel includes: Delbert McClinton (vocals). Includes liner notes by Andy McKaie. Digitally remastered by Doug Schwartz (Audio Mechanics, Los Angeles, California). Liner Note Author: Andy McKaie. Photographers: Henry Diltz; Stephanie Chernikowski. Far from a comprehensive overview of Delbert McClinton's four decade career, this is an enjoyable yet relatively brief disc focusing entirely on covers of classic R&B material. Compiled from the rugged Texas singer's four early solo albums recorded from 1974 through 1979, it shines a light onto McClinton's varied influences as well as being a consistently enjoyable listen. A cursory scan of the song titles initially indicates there's not much exciting here. Many of these classics such as Bobby "Blue" Bland's "Turn on Your Lovelight," Fats Domino's "Blue Monday," and Don Covay's "Have Mercy" are well known through either their original versions or numerous renditions throughout the years. Upon closer listen though McClinton's approach to them is effortlessly soulful, and some of his arrangements- in particular transforming Willie Dixon's "Spoonful" from a wailing Chicago blues to a swampy soul stirrer- are refreshingly unique. McClinton's sand and honey inflected vocals flow easily, and his sharp band including horns, female backing vocals and tight ensemble playing, wrap themselves around the songs with loose precision. The songs of Elvis Presley, Jimmie Rodgers, Chuck Berry, Johnny Ace, Big Joe Turner, The Clovers and Bo Diddley all become McClinton tunes as he latches onto their varied genres and transforms them into rollicking R&B. The anthology shares only one selection with the excellent Ultimate Collection, but even though it's cobbled together from albums recorded over five years, McClinton's cohesive style bonds these tracks into a surprisingly unified whole. Thoughtful and informative liner notes explain the source material, and the lack of individual personnel listings, as well as the album's relative brevity, prove to be minor shortcomings. ~ Hal Horowitz

A journeyman roots musician who'd put in nearly five decades in the music business by the turn of the millennium, Delbert McClinton's take on country and blues only improved with age. Cutting his chops as a touring and session man in the 1960s for various blues and R&B strutters, McClinton developed his own distinct approach in the '70s that incorporated soul and blues into a standard country framework, and at its best helped to define the "road house" style. He continued to record into the '90s and 2000s, collaborating with legends such as B.B. King and Bonnie Raitt.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25