The all-star band included Delbert McClinton on vocals and harmonica, Kevin McKendree on keyboards, George Hawkins on bass, Rob McLelley on guitar, Lynn Williams on drums, Terry Townsen on trumpet, and Don Wise on saxophones.
Highlights of disc one (11 cuts) include the rocking “Old Weakness (Coming on Strong)” with the strong presence of Kevin McKendree on piano coming through loud and clear. Cut 2, “Leap of Faith” grooves to a reggae beat, with those soulful horns coming in at just the right times. Cut 4, “I Wanna Thank You Baby” opens with Delbert’s smooth harmonica playing. “I Want to Love You,” cut 5, opens with a hooky groove with Rob’s funky guitar comping. This is down and dirty unrequited love put to music. The horns build an awesome momentum, then back to Delbert’s pleading for this woman’s love. Delbert preaches on “Smooth Talk”, “Put your hand on the TV and pray....Don’t let the smooth talk fool you.” Whew, I’m sweating–just put this disc on and enjoy. All 11 cuts are classic Delbert.
What could be better than 11 cuts of the best Delbert McClinton album ever recorded? Another 8 cuts on disc 2. Consider it an 8 cut encore. A hot rocking song opens disc two with “Why Me.” The mix is loud but everything is coming through, including Kevin’s Jerry Lee Lewis styled honky-tonk piano playing. If this doesn’t get your adrenaline flowing then you’re dead. Cut 3, has Delbert “going back to Louisiana to that girl I left behind.” Amazingly, I could hear every nuance of the mix. Delbert’s excellent harmonica playing is a highlight of this cut. Cut 6 presents Delbert’s warhorse, “I’m Giving Up for Your Love.” Indeed, this is the best version of this song ever recorded. “I don’t need your money or car, but I’m giving up for your love, somehow.” If you never buy any other Delbert McClinton album but this, rest assured it is one of his best–maybe the best. So how do you define Delbert’s music”? You don’t. It’s Delbert’s music. He is in a class by himself. This classic live album and Delbert’s other recordings are available on www.delbertmcclinton.com. Not only is this the best DM album to date, but it is one of the best live albums I’ve ever heard. Live is king and recorded live is the next best thing.
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