D.K. Harrell – The Right Man
Little Village Foundation LVF 1055
11 songs – 49 minutes
The fastest rising talent in the blues today, D.K. Harrell exploded out of the ether two years ago, going from a youngster who drew his inspiration as a musician from YouTube videos to sharing the stage with Bobby Rush, Gary Clark Jr., Mr. Sipp and Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks. Listen to a few notes on this debut CD and you’ll understand beyond a doubt that he belongs in that lofty stratosphere. It’s simply…just…that…GOOD!
Now 25 and someone who grew up an only child in tiny Ruston, La., as a self-admitted loner, D.K. began life singing in the church choir and picked up harmonica at age eight after falling in love with the blues. Eventually switching to guitar, he pored over YouTube videos throughout his youth, not only building an encyclopedic knowledge about the music and teaching himself how to play like his heroes but also learning skills about band leadership and an understanding about how to relate to an audience, too.
The third-place winner in the 2022 International Blues Challenge, Harrell plays and sings in a style reminiscent of B.B. King but one that’s unmistakably all his own. He displays the confidence and skill of a man twice his age here. A collection of 11 originals imbued with strong grooves, mature lyrics and personality that mirror D.K.’s plus-sized frame, it was produced by Kid Andersen at Graceland Studios in California with the usual all-star lineup of backing musicians that Little Village Foundation’s released have come to be known for.
The roster includes Kid on rhythm guitar and a trio of Grammy winners — LVF founder Jim Pugh, Jerry Jemmott and Tony Coleman – on keys, bass and percussion. Neil Levonius and John Halbleib (trumpets), Mike Rinta (trombone) and Mike Peloquin, Aaron Lington and Stephen “Doc” Kupka (saxes) compose a six-piece horn section. They’re augmented by Jon Otis on congas, Don Dally on strings and backing vocals from Tia Carroll, Lisa Leuschner Andersen, Quique Gomez and Alabama Mike.
D.K.’s stinging, single-note guitar run hits like a hurricane after a brief horn flourish to open “The Right Man.” Like his six-string attack, his rich tenor swings like a pendulum as he announces to his lady: “I know you’re gonna cry when I leave this broken home…and keep asking yourself: ‘Why did I wrong the right man?’” As the basis of this tune alone, Harrell already establishes himself as part of the forefront of the blues, and he doesn’t disappoint on the 12 numbers that follow.
The mood brightens and cooks from the bottom up with “You’re a Queen,” which sings praises of every lady who carries herself in a royal manner, displaying all she can be without need for makeup, wigs or whatever. The ballad “Get These Blues Out of Me” follows with D.K. describing sitting at his desk and thinking about his upcoming gig both nervous and excited and knowing he’s either going to “sing about my sorrows or I may sing about my new fling” while guaranteeing he’ll sing until he’s hoarse and play with all his force as he frees himself of the turmoil that rages inside him.
The funk and heat for “You’d Be Amazed,” which stresses the need to do your homework and be true to yourself if you want to succeed at anything before Harrell looks forward to breaking a few hearts and making a few starts in the medium-paced shuffle, “While I’m Young.” A fat bass run from Jemmott opens the percussive “Not Here for a Long Time,” a tune that’s delivered in two parts, bookending the deep blues, “Hello Trouble.” The set-up states that D.K.’s only in town for a heartbeat, a good time and a show while the middle number describes “trouble” as accompanied by a smile and short dress and fleeting at best. The reprise serves as an extended jam that allows space for all the principals to shine.
“Honey Ain’t So Sweet,” an unhurried take on unrequited love, “Leave It at the Door,” advice to party instead of obsessing about past troubles, and the minor-key pleaser, “One for the Road,” bring the disc to a pleasant close.
Run — don’t walk — to pick up this one. A new star is born!
