Customer Reviews

Never Been Rocked Enough

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Never Been Rocked Enough is one of those cd's that I just can't get enough of. I have to force myself not to play it to often for fear of wearing it out. I've read that Delbert is considered to be a musicians musician and has long been appreciated in the field while never receiving the fan base and recognition he most certainly deserves. I can't understand this. Every song on this cd rocks. The songs and Delbert's voice seems to speak to the average person and definitely to the average woman. Delbert is a gifted song writer, writing Cease and Desist, Never Been Rocked Enough and Why Me? on this cd. He also does great cover versions of songs by other writers as Have a Little Faith in Me by John Hiatt.

On Rocked Enough he teams with Francine Reed (Lyle Lovett's backup singer and an excellent blues musician on her own) to sing I Used to Worry. Those of us of a certain age have to appreciate the irony of these lyrics. Bonnie Raitt guests on two of the songs Good Man, Good woman which received some radio air play and playing slide on Everytime I Roll the Dice. Melissa Etheridge and Tom Petty both make guest appearances as background vocalists.

Delbert falls somewhere in the blues, country, rock genre. Its hard to pin him down exactly, but easy to know a Delbert song when you hear it. Fans of delta and Chicago blues may not appreciate his style.

Delbert McClinton's NEVER BEEN ROCKED ENOUGH was a 1992 release, but the album is one that keeps on giving. If the listener wants a quick pick-me-up jumping beat, the CD delivers that. And if the listener wants a soul-stirring wonder-of-life-and-love moment, Delbert delivers that as well. NEVER BEEN ROCKED ENOUGH is a great introduction to Delbert's music for a first time listener. Delbert is a bluesman with a foot in the past and an eye on the future. As a result, his brand of music is timeless.

Born in Lubbock, Texas, Delbert never has tried to stray far from his blues and Western swing roots. He cut his teeth working roadhouses in Texas along the Jacksboro Highway, quietly lining up work as a sideman on other artists' albums. His first CD, VICTIM OF LIFE'S CIRCUMSTANCES, set the tone for much of his music. Several CDs have followed, including ONE OF THE FORTUNATE FEW, LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL, HONKY TONK `N BLUES, THE JEALOUS KIND, and 2001's Grammy Award-winning NOTHING PERSONAL.

In NEVER BEEN ROCKED ENOUGH, Delbert kicks off the CD with "Everytime I Roll The Dice", a slow grooving toe-tapper that became a Top Ten hit. "I Used To Worry" is a blues testimonial to the inevitability of the world delivered with a sarcastic wink. In "Miss You Fever", Delbert reaches into his vocals bag to hand out a tune in a hoarse and hurting voice echoing with the haunting feeling of sitting on a barstool far too long hurting the way everyone who has loved and lost hurts. Delbert wrote "Why Me?" and the background vocals are by Tom Petty, and the song kicks up the CD's overall tempo, hooking the listener solidly and reeling him or her in. "Have A Little Faith In Me" brings the listener back to earth, chaining him or her to the softer emotions, and Delbert's harmonica work underscores the hope the words offer. Then Delbert kicks the doors open and delivers "Never Been Rocked Enough", a tune that he wrote and that drives directly to the fun-loving rocker that co-exists with this bluesman extraordinaire. "Blues As Blues Can Get" is a soft and easy blues talker that speaks of pain and loneliness. Moving back into an up-tempo beat, Delbert delivers "Can I Change My Mind" but stays with the insecurity and pain of relationships. Sounding a bit like a gospel song, written by Delbert, "Cease and Desist" is a sexy and fun romp. "Stir It Up" is a cover of a Bob Marley song, and Delbert dishes a soulful sound that warms the heart and inspires hope. Singing with blues sensation Bonnie Raitt, Delbert blasts out "Good Man, Good Woman", which earned both singers a Grammy Award, and ends the CD with a solid blues feel and Delbert's haunting harmonica work.

NEVER BEEN ROCKED ENOUGH is a great addition to any Delbert McClinton sound library lacking this CD. For the blues enthusiast, the CD is also a definite keeper. Fans of Bonnie Raitt's work will definitely want to check out Delbert McClinton because they've both got the same long past deeply enmeshed in the blues scene and constant flirtation with the crossover pop crowd.

Delbert McClinton is a Texas singer-songwriter and harmonica player who has been making great music since the late 1950's. He made his first big public splash playing harmonica on Bruce Chanel's "Hey baby" and legend has it that he taught John Lennon some of the rudiments of Blues harmonica playing. His songs have been covered by dozens of other recording srtists and has had a career that has spanned decades and shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.

"Never Been Rocked Enough" is an absolutely solid album by an absolutely solid performer. Delbert's back-up musicians are as tight as you can expect. The songwriting is a s strong as always and Delbert's singing is absolutely a joy to listen to. As always, his harmonica playing shows the years he's spent perfecting his craft.

This is a very nice effort by a great artist. I definitely recommend it.

I will never understand how this great Texas R & B master can languish in near obscurity while a certain balding mullet headed white "soul" singer of very modest abilities reaps the rewards of ripping off the blues. Oh well, Delbert sings about not worrying about things like that, so I guess I won't either. This CD is a booty beater right from lift off. The rockers here propelled by Bonnie Raitt's wicked slide guitar and Delberts superb singing and harp playing. Dig his version of Tyrone Davis' '60's soul hit "Can I Change My Mind?". Delbert's serving notice here on all the the imposters, "this is how to sing soul music, ya'll. Fans of Blues, Country, Soul, and rocknroll, this man can do it all with the grace and power available only to a few. Get as much Delbert as you can find because you havn't been rocked enough.

The only luke warm review on this album says it wasn't enough straight up blues. Gee, Delbert showed some versitility. My how awful!

Well, this album is straight up good. The pacing from one song to another is excellent.

How refreshing to listen to an album all the way through without getting bored. It's a winner. If you like your blues with a little downhome twist, you'll love this album. Missed my one opportunity to see him here in Nashville this year, and boy do I regret it.

I agree with an earlier user review - Delbert Mcclinton is a seriously overlooked and underappreciated talent.

I'd rate this CD very highly just for the great version of "Have a little faith in me," but the entire disc is just plain supurb.

Just the right mix of Blues, Rock and Country provides a disc that is worth every penny of the asking price.

"Everytime I roll the dice" is a rollicking blues tune, and starts this disc out right. "I used to worry" is a great tune, and just confirms that Delbert isn't worried 'about things like that.' "Miss you fever" is the typical 'sad you are gone (and I probably chased you away)' song, but from there you've got "Why Me" to pick up your spirits and start you rocking.

My personal favorite is "Have a little faith in me," a song that I think of when I hear "If I should fall behind" (performed very well by Springsteen and the E Street-ers and by the exquisite Faith Hill).

"Never been rocked enough" follows that and continues this great disc toward several more great tunes.

Well worth the asking price, and an excellent addition to any CD collection.

I have been a Delbert fan for decades, and this is easily one of his best albums ever. It's full of his fabulous roadhouse rock/blues/country sound; I never get tired of listening to this vibrant CD. Delbert is the best! More than 20 years ago I saw him perform in Atlanta. I was with Doc Pomus' son, so before the show I got to hang out and do a shot or two with Delbert, and after the show we drove him to his motel (he asked me to turn the radio off because his ears were still ringing from the concert). I've seen Delbert perform a few times since then, and man, can he sing.

This is a fine album worthy of purchase by anybody wanting to add to their Delbert collection. Has a number of songs that are really good but won't be found on any compilations. Get it and you won't regret it.

If I hadn't owned any Delbert McClinton music and recommended a CD to pick up, this would be my recommendation. He was young enough to have a strong clear voice when needed and old enough to get it right. He moved into more of a rock sound and it is truly supurb. I love it along with Nothing Personal and One of the Fortunate Few. Do yourself a favor and pick it up.

This was the first Delbert McClinton CD I ever bought (actually it was a cassette back then) and I loved it so much I've purchased everything he's recorded since then. Never Been Rocked Enough is still my all time favorite - it is loaded with great songs that illustrate his multi-faceted talent. There is even a track with Bonnie Raitt as an added bonus. I highly recommend it.