Johnny Rawls – Waiting For the Train

Johhny Rawls
Title: Waiting For the Train

Artist: Johnny Rawls

Label: Catfood

Formats: CD, MP3

Release date: September 15, 2017

 

 

Mississippi-born Johnny Rawls has a long history in the industry, from serving as band director for soul singer O.V. Wright, to backing artists such as Z.Z. Hill and Joe Tex. The singer-songwriter and guitarist released his first solo project in 1985, and in 2014 was recognized by Living Blues magazine as “Male Blues Artist of the Year.” Rawls, however, is not a traditional blues musician. His southern roots are often more firmly planted in soul, with branches extending into the blues. Such is the case with his latest project, Waiting For the Train. This is Rawl’s seventh in a string of highly successful albums on the Catfood label. He’s accompanied by his long time band, The Rays, featuring label owner Bob Trenchard on bass. Trenchard also co-wrote the album’s six original songs with Rawls, which are interspersed with four fine covers.

Opening with “Rain Keep Falling (“Til I’m Free),” the tone is set with a tight horn section and rocking guitar solo from Johnny McGhee, while Rawl’s gravelly voice expresses a fearlessness about facing the future. This segues into “Las Vegas,” a song about high rollin’ and risk taking that many who have visited Sin City can surely relate to, but there’s also a more serious message about faith, hope and change. These themes emerge again in “Blackjack Was a Gambler,” a story song about “Jack and Sally” that seems to combine elements of “Mustang Sally,” “Stagger Lee” and “Jack & Diane.”

One of the highlights of the album is the title track, “Waiting for the Train,” a contemplative ballad featuring interesting chord changes and an excellent guitar solo. The train as a transport to heaven is a common theme in gospel music, and this is obviously Rawls’ intent as he sings in the voice of a man contemplating the afterlife, “Get on board and don’t look back . . . I’ve got to be ready, when it comes for me, I’ve got to be ready to be set free.”

Rounding out the album is the funky dance number “California Shake” that’s infused with a ‘70s vibe, and four cover songs including Wilson Pickett’s “I’m in Love,” Syl Johnson’s “We Did It,” Tyrone Davis’s “Turning Point,” and a nice rendition of Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released.” Rawls closes with another original, “Stay With Me,” a poignant love song to a partner in life’s journey.

Waiting For the Train is a solid effort by soul-blues artist Johnny Rawls, offering songs that are especially relevant to those of a certain age who have faced many obstacles but still find the strength to push forward towards the promised land.

Reviewed by Brenda Nelson-Strauss

 

Bobby Byrd – Help For My Brothers, The Pre-Funk Singles 1963-1968

Bobby Byrd

Title: Help For My Brothers – The Pre Funk Singles 1963-1968

Artist: Bobby Byrd

Label: BGP

Format: CD

Release date: October 6, 2017

 

 

Bobby Byrd, hands down, is the perhaps the greatest sideman in the history of music. Now I may get killed with the “what about Mick/Keith, Bono/Edge, Chuck D/Flavor Flav” comments, all of which are valid points (though Chuck & Flav may be the best comparison in my opinion). But if the name Bobby Byrd isn’t jumping right at you, allow me to take this time to bring you up to speed.

Who else could go on a stage and hold their own with “the hardest working man in show business,” “Soul Brother # 1,” “The Godfather of Soul,” “Mr. Dynamite”? Ok, by now I think you know who I’m referring to. Yes, Bobby Byrd was James Brown’s right hand man for 20 years, one of the original Famous Flames, which explains my earlier comparison. Think “Sex Machine.” James said, “Get Up” and Bobby Byrd had the comeback, “Get on up.” In fact, James calls Bobby Byrd’s name to “take ’em to the bridge.” But before the “Sex Machine” era, and apart from the Famous Flames, Byrd released his own recordings. As all hip hop historians know, Eric B & Rakim sampled Byrd’s “I Know You Got Soul” (1971), and there are many others that used Byrd samples, including Jay-Z. But let’s go back a little further.

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This new CD compilation, Help For My Brothers: The Pre Funk Singles 1963-68, begins with the earliest singles released by Byrd on the Federal, Smash, and King labels. All were produced by James Brown, who also shared co-writing credits on many of the songs. To hear Bobby Byrd sing and be the front man might seem strange, but his voice is actually good. No screaming over lyrics. One of the earliest tracks, “I’m Just a Nobody,” has that 60’s vibe and the tempo is what was the norm during that period, a slow groove. Also included is his first solo hit, “Baby, Baby, Baby” with Anna King from 1964, as well as “We Are in Love” from 1965, an even bigger success.  Byrd takes a gamble with “Write Me A Letter,” perhaps the best track on the CD. His vocal presentation is not what one expects: rockabilly. Yes, rockabilly!

Bobby Byrd didn’t have James Brown’s stage showmanship, but his voice perhaps was a little better. Help For My Brothers, the first-ever compilation of Byrd’s earliest, lesser known singles, shows the evolution of his solo work. Byrd was more than JB’s sideman, and for that we will be forever grateful.

Reviewed by Eddie Bowman

August 2016 Releases of Note

Following are additional albums released during August 2016—some will be reviewed in future issues of Black Grooves.

Blues, Folk, Country
Albert Collins: Ice Pickin’ (reissue) (Alligator)
Annika Chambers: Wild & Free (Oarfin)
Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup: Music Man Like Nobody Ever Saw (Box set) (Bear Family)
JJ Thames: Raw Sugar (Dechamp )
Little Walter: Complete Checker Singles A’s & B’s 1952-60 (Acrobat)
Lurri Bell: Can’t Shake This Feeling (Delmark)

Funk, Rock, Pop, Electronic    
Amos Lee: Spirit (Republic)
California King: Grown Folks Talking EP (Bandcamp.com)
Dazz Band: Hot Spot (expanded ed.) (Funky Town Grooves)
GAWVI: Lost in Hue EP (Reach)
Kon: Kon & The Gang
L.A. Salami: Dancing with Bad Grammar (Sunday Best/ PIAS America)
Nao: For All We Know (RCA)
Prince: Naked In The Summertime: 1990 Broadcast (2 CD) (Hobo)
Prince: Rock in Rio 2, July 1991 (Hobo)
Prophets of Rage: Party’s Over (Prophets of Rage)
Xl Middleton & Eddy Funkster: S/T (Mofunk)

Gospel, Gospel Rap    
Chicago Gospel Keyboard Masters: Lift Me Up (Sirens)
Church Choir: If God Be For Us (Kee Music Group)
Donnie McClurkin: The Journey (RCA Inspiration)
Jekalyn Carr: The Life Project (eOne)
Various: Greenleaf – The Gospel Companion Soundtrack Vol. 1 (Malaco)
XP: Chasing Grace

Jazz  
Abbey Lincoln: Love Having You Around – Live at Keystone Korner Vol. 2 (HighNote)
Ashleigh Smith: Sunkissed (Concord)
Barbara Dane and Tammy Hall: Throw it Away… (Dreadnaught)
Barry Harris: Live in Tokyo (expanded ed.) (Elemental Music)
Charles Mcpherson: Live in Tokyo (expanded ed.) (Elemental Music)
Clarence Penn, Mark Helias & Uri Caine: Calibrated Thickness (816Music)
Darren Barrett: Trumpet Vibes – The Music of Amy Winehouse (dB Music )
Derrick Hodge: The Second (Blue Note)
Jimmy Raney: Live in Tokyo (expanded ed.) (Elemental Music)
John Beasley: Presents MONK’estra, Vol. 1 (Mack Ave.)
Nasambu + Kibrom : Peace, Love and Mercy EP (Bandcamp)
Rahsaan Roland Kirk: The Case of the Three Sided Dream (DVD)
World’s Experience Orchestra: The Beginning Of A New Birth/As Time Flows (Now-Again)
Blair Bryant: Gold (Innervision)
Harlem Hamfats: Masters of Jazz & Blues 1936-1944 (JSP)
Robin Barnes: Songbird Sessions EP (Rhythm Elevation )
Steve Lehman:  “Sélébéyone” (PI )

R&B, Soul
Abra: Princess (Awful)
Angie Stone: Covered in Soul (Goldenlane)
Anthony David: The PowerFUL Now  (Shanachie)
Dave Hollister: The Manuscript (Shanachie)
Dexter Wansel: Stargazer: Philadelphia International Records (BBR)
Eddie Levert : Did I Make You Go Ooh (Blakbyrd Ent.)
Gallant: Ology (Warner Bros.)
Jimetta Rose : The Light Bearer
Johnnie Frierson: Have You Been Good To Yourself (Light in the Attic)
Lee Moses: Time And Place (Light in the Attic)
Leon Timbo : What Love’s All About  (eOne)
Michael Jackson: Japan Broadcast 1987 (Goldfish)
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings:  Miss Sharon Jones! OST (Daptone)
Shirley Davis & the Silverbacks:  Black Rose ( Tucxone)
Tamara Tramell: The Best Night of My Life (JSP)
Tory Lanez: I Told You (Interscope)
Wilson Pickett: Complete Atlantic Singles Vol. 1 (Real Gone)

Rap, Hip Hop
Banks & Steelz (aka RZA): Anything But Words (Warner Bros.)
Big Capp & Bun B: Streets-R-Minez (II TRILL ENT WEST)
Damu the Fudgemunk: Untitled Vol. 2 EP (Redefinition)
De La Soul: And the Anonymous Nobody ( AOI)
DJ Khaled: Major Key (Epic)
Hieroglyphic Being: The Disco’s Of Imhotep (Ninja Tunes)
Hollow Tip And C-Dubb:  Mercenary Mobmuzik 2 (Mercenary Ent.)
J Dilla: King of Beats (Yancy Media Group)
Jarren Benton: Slow Motion Vol. 2 (Benton Ent.)
J-Diggs: California Livin Pt. 3: Chasin My Dreams (Thizz Ent.)
Lando Chill: For Mark, Your Son (Mello Music Group)
MarQ Spekt & Blockhead: Keep Playin’ (HiPNOTT)
MarQ Spekt & MOBONIX: Bionic Jazz (HiPNOTT)
Rae Sremmurd: SremmLife 2 (Interscope)
Ras Beats: Control Your Own ( Worldwyde)
Roots Manuva: Bleeds (Big Dada)
Sam The Sleezbag & DJ Mekalek: #SleezbagMekalekTape
Sheefy Mcfly: Edward Elecktro (Limited Ed. LP)  (Mahogani Music)
Slim Thug: American King (Hogglife Ent.)
Various: Bad Boy 20th Anniversary Box set (5CD) (Bad Boy)
Various: Kon & The Gang (BBE)

Reggae, Dancehall     
Derrick Harriott : Reggae, Funk & Soul 1969-1975 (Dubstore)
Easy Star All-Stars: Radiodread (expanded ed.) (Easy Star)
Frankie Paul: Forever (World Records)
Various: Money Maker (reissue) (Studio One)
Various: King Jammy Presents New Sounds of Freedom (VP)

World
Lakuta: Brothers and Sister (Tru Thoughts)
Mateo Kingman: Respira (AYA )