Cost of Living

Delbert McClinton

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 23, 2005)
• Original Release Date: August 23, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: New West Records
• ASIN: B0009XEA3G
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,358 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Like a rootsier Jimmy Buffett, Delbert McClinton is an established, hard-touring veteran whose audience doesn't expect from him too much out of the norm. Regardless, the Texan's quintessential mix of country, R&B, Tex-Mex, blues, honky-tonk, New Orleans bump, lounge jazz, and good-time rock and roll is durable enough to sustain a career, especially since nobody does it nearly as well as he does. In the spirit of "don't fix what isn't broken," this album of 13 McClinton originals preserves the established formula. But to his credit, the leathery-voiced singer, now in his mid-60s, never seems to be going through the motions. He delivers this good-natured Americana with gutsy enthusiasm and enough raw energy to power the ocean liner on one of his famous blues cruises. Just as comfortable tearing into the Stonesy rock of "Dead Wrong" as the soft, Spanish guitar-driven folk of "Down into Mexico"--a tale of a robbery/relationship gone bad that flawlessly mixes his tender and tough sides--McClinton revels in his element. Fiddles, sax, and pedal steel augment the arrangements, highlighting the country and blues at the heart of Cost of Living. All that's missing is the sweat, booze, and boisterous crowd that remain an integral aspect of McClinton's legendary shows. --Hal Horowitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delbert McClinton is on fire..., September 6, 2005

By	Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

Goddamn, he's good. Good as in, "awesome," and definitely not phoning it in... Here's yet another lively roots music set showcasing this veteran roadhouse pro at his very best, a soulful blues-based performer with feet planted equally firmly in old-school country's honkytonk tradition... This is a very strong set of original material, with highlights that include rollicking, humorous tunes like "Right To Be Wrong" and the lustful "I'll Change My Style," as well as the country-flavored "Two Step Too," which is as concise a description of McClinton's rock-country-R&B world view as we're ever likely to hear. It should be mentioned, though, that with the destruction of New Orleans earlier this month, an unintended sadness hangs over this album as well... The strolling Big Easy vibe of "One Of The Fortunate Few" and other songs are part of McClinton's long love of Louisiana music, and made me wonder what the blues world will do without its home... Hopefully, they'll keep making great records like this one, and if "Cost Of Living" is any indication, Delbert McClinton will be one of the artists there to lead the way to rebuild and revitalize the New Orleans soul we know and love so well. Anyway, this is a fine record... If you get it, you will not be disappointed.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks Don Imus!, August 25, 2005

By	Lorien W. Trapani (Fairfield, CT United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Learned of Delbert from the Don Imus show and have been a major fan ever since. This album is another gem with some of the best Texas blues songs I have heard in years. To truly appreciate Delbert, you need to see him live. Extraordinary performer!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now I am a Delbert fan, November 9, 2005

By	Patricia R. Groff "Pattee" (Leesburg, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was my first McClinton CD and now I am hooked! I have bought 2 more and they are all great.