Gerald McClendon – Down At The Juke Joint
Delta Roots Records
12 tracks/47 minutes
Gerald McClendon is often referred to as “The Soul Keeper” and it is a title he has aptly earned. His voice is sweet and the lyrics flow like syrup. He massages and embraces each line of every song, making them soulful parts of his love making with the listener. He’s way too underappreciated in the music world and hopefully this album continues to push him in front of more and more listeners who will appreciate his fine work.
This Chicago soul singer features on his album Tony Lorens on piano and all forms of keys. Joe Burba is on all the guitar leads except two tracks featuring Maurice John Vaughn and Mark Wyrda. Mike Jackson adds his sensational sax to seven tracks and The Delta Roots Horns are on four cuts. David Forte does most of the bass work, but Harlan Terson is also featured on three of the tracks. Veteran blues drummer Twist Turner handles the skins and a little more.
“Back Where You Belong” is a beautiful soul song wrapped up in delicious vocals and saxophone. McClendon sings with true passion and grabs at the listeners hearts with this opening cut. Then “It’s Too Late, She’s Gone” follows up with a slow and deep track of lost love. Nice organ accompaniment to set the moods and few cool guitar licks add nicely to the cause. McClendon delivers another truly fine performance. The title track follows that, a rollicking and fun cut about where to go to get a little taste, have a ball, drink alcohol and have some good music in the air. McClendon sings a slick, metered cut with some faux harmonica by Twist Turner and Mary Lane on vocals supporting him sweetly. “House Ain’t A Home” follows, a greasy, soulful blues about a relationship that’s fallen out. Stinging guitar by Maurice Vaughn is out front on this one.
Up next is “So Long,” another slow soul song where Gerald sings of another soured relationship. He is easily one of Chicago’s top soul singers, if not the entire country’s. Wyrda adds his guitar to this cut. “Talkin’ Smack” comes next, where McClendon tells his women he’s not happy with her talking behind his back. More impassioned vocals and emotions are displayed here. “Only Time Will Tell” continues the slow and passionate song cycle where McClendon lays out his heart for all to see. Some more cool sax work is served up here on this one and the next cut. “She’s Tryin’To Drive Me Crazy” has Gerald tell us of a crazy woman who is trying to bring him along for the ride.
“Cryin’ Time Again” is not the country song we’ve all heard but McClendon singing if his troubles will ever end. He emotes and bares his soul for the listener once again. Piano helps set the mood here. Then it’s time for “You Make Me Happy,” an upbeat slow soul blues with sax and organ that’s a delight to listen to. “I’ll Be In Your Corner” is a way down tempo cut of a search for love, someone who cares. Gerald again displays his passion vocally and the sax is again superb. He concludes with “You’re So Fine,” another sweet cut with exceptional sax support.
Gerald McClendon is perhaps the most unappreciated soul man out there. This is a truly outstanding CD warranting your purchase and enjoyment. I truly loved it!
