Jubilee Offer: Patriot Classics for £2.50 |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Product Description
Review
The release has added poignancy as Mitchell died soon after the project's completion, marking a full stop to a career that included his signature work for Al Green as well as sides for Ann Peebles, O.V. Wright and Otis Clay. Everything here is set against a classic Mitchell backdrop: keening horns, honeyed strings, watertight rhythm and close-mic'ed drums.
Preacher, sometimes mortician and man-mountain, Burke, a man with 90 grandchildren, knows a thing or two about life. Now eight years into the comeback that started with 2002's Grammy-winning Don't Give Up on Me, Burke plays the elder statesman of rock and soul effortlessly. His hectoring then mellow bark of love and instruction spreads itself across these 12 tracks.
At times, though, it veers far to close to cliché . The over-reliance on sax recalls parping, mid-period Van Morrison. The cover version of Anne Murray's You Needed Me is possibly a little too cruise liner cabaret for this reviewer. In fact, it's toe-curlingly mawkish. And throughout, Burke's commanding vocal presence is sometimes a bit much for the mellower moments.
That said, when it all comes together on a track like Oh What a Feeling, it is effortless and heart-warming; an antidote to every over-emoting talent show winner. This is soul. Less is more. Burke explores the heart of the tune. New Company is sugar-sweet, and the grit throughout Burke's voice ensures that things never become too comfortable. It Must Be Love has all the great drama of classic soul, and Mitchell plays every trick in his not inconsiderable production book.
Burke tells it like it is, like the sensitive man, wronged lover and righteous preacher that he truly is. For his final work, Willie Mitchell found a perfect partner, and Nothing's Impossible sees him depart on a high.
--Daryl EasleaFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
CD Description
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
On the whole though it seems too little too late. Burke's age (and girth?)is beginnig to show in his voice. And whilst Mitchell's arrangements and production cannot be faulted, the choice of material could have been better. The Anne Murray song was a good choice, but why were not more classics picked or a groovy up tempo belter? Is the big man not up to those anymore?
You're not Alone and The Error of my Ways are two other good songs. The latter in particular proves an early Atlantic, late at night bluesy Ray Charles sort of thing.
Amazon doesn't allow me to give half points so, as a long time Solomon Burke fan I rounded this up to three.
Let us hope there is still more to come. I'd say Buke should go back to his roots, lay off the touring and find his own Rick Rubin.
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
