Customer Reviews

Genuine Rhythm & The Blues

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Delbert McClinton's particular brand of countryfied r&b has always been a treat for the ears. Having followed his career from the Delbert & Glen days I can only congratulate newcomers on discovering this compilation. It's a great selection of what he did best. At that time. It's also a chance to hear some of the South's best sidemen in action. The players from Muscle Shoals. The American Group from Memphis with the best feel player in the business, guitarist Reggie Young. My only complaint is that when you look at Delbert's record record - if you pardon the expression - I can't think of anybody who has had his work so missused and reissued. It's a shame. Talk about being a Victim Of The Business's Circumstances... On the other hand: When it comes to compilations, Hip-O does a great job. Witness Millie Jackson and Nils Lofgren. They also treat Delbert McClinton with respect. Which is more than can be said for the various Curb selections.

This album is a trawl through some good parts of Delbert McClinton's back catalogue, and it's a shame this isn't always as clearly indicated as it might be. The choice of material is good, being a representative selection of the kind of roadhouse R&B/rock'n'roll (delete according to your own personal preferences or prejudices) that the artist does so well. Longtime D.M. fans who only have this stuff on vinyl may welcome its release on CD, and anyone who doesn't yet know the guy, but is into solid, meaty, "more than just guitars" R&B, ought to be pretty satisfied. For me a standout track is his version of the old classic "Before you accuse me"; but there isn't really a weak song on the album. Perhaps not up to the very high standards of his last album, "One of the fortunate few", but still, any Delbert McClinton issue is like meeting up again with a real old friend, and as such must be good news ... as we wait for the next really new stuff!

This cd contains a good mix of rock'n'blues from Delbert's work in the mid to late seventies. The musicianship holds up very well even compared with today's quality recordings. Keep in mind, this is Curb Records re-releasing a different mix of tunes which they own the rights without any imput from Delbert. If you don't have these tunes on cd already, then it's a must for real Delbert fans.

If one were to recommend one Delbert McClinton CD, this is not the one. It is a fun collection of 50s & 60s r&b covers taken from his 70s albums on ABC and Capricorn. Delbert can make almost anything work and does here. A fun play at a party or in the car on a long drive.

Delbert McClinton is one of the few musicians (the late, great Doug Sahm was another) who could seamlessly move between pop, rock, blues, r and b and country. Over the years, Delbert would record two or three rhythm and blues classics per album, along with his originals. Well, the folks at Polygram had a bright idea: Why not gather all these superb performances into one delectable disc? Most of the songs and Delbert's easygoing performances of them are fantastic. Highlights include: "Lipstick, Powder and Paint" (Delbert's version is superior to Roomful of Blues remake on their album That's Right!), "Blue Monday" (wonderfully fat New Orleans sound; after all, it is a Fats Domino number!) "In the Jailhouse Now" (delightful countrified-r and b hokum), "Just a Little Bit" (the best cut on the set, featuring crisp horn charts), "I'm Talking About You" (Chuck Berry rock and roll, again with great horn riffs), and "Spoonful" (a quiet, understated version of the Howlin' Wolf classic; lounge without smarminess). On the down side, "Corinna" and "A Mess of Blues" are both so understated as to be almost bland. Perhaps they should be replaced by some higher-energy numbers, such as "Standing on Shaky Ground," "Take Me To The River," "Rooster Blues," or even Tony Joe White's "Hold On To Your Hiney." Throughout, Delbert sings with obvious pride and a great deal of personal warmth. This CD would make a great gift for Texas-style r and b fans of all ages, and ideal for an ever-youthful senior who can still shake a tailfeather!

I have been a Delbert fan for more years than I can remember, but I must say this album was a big waste of my money. Delbert has always written unique songs and I suppose I expected too much. Delbert best leave other peoples songs to them and get back to what he is best at, his own music. I couldn't find one blues song on the album and the others are just old rock & roll.

Hip-O Records brings us another great performer singing his way into our "musical lives". Rhythm and the Blues is genuine by a razor-sharp performance of Delbert McClinton, who incidentally touches on Blues, Country, R&B and Rock.

This CD unleashes McClinton's talent with such selection as - BLUE MONDAY - IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW - TURN ON YOUR LOVE LIGHT - CORINNA and A MESS OF BLUES.

For those of you who have waited for that certain album from this versatile artist, this one is "Genuine" with "Rhythm & The Blues" and for you!

Total Time: 45:17 on 14 Tracks/ Hip-O Records - 314 541 335 2 (2000)