Yates McKendree – Need To Know
Qualified Records
www.qualifiedrecords.com/yates
13 tracks/42 minutes
Yates McKendree’s second release showcases the talents of this fine, young musician and his abilities in song writing, performing and playing guitar, bass, drums, and organ. He is a multi-instrumentalist whose talents belie his young age.
This album not only exudes musical talent but also the joy in making music. Yates loves the blues and that is apparent in every note he plays and sings. He is the real deal.
Also appearing is his father, Kevin McKendree on piano and organ. He also produced the album at The Rock House in Tennessee. Robert Frahm supplies guitar and rhythm guitar, Griffin Photoglou, George Sluppick, and Kenneth Blevins are on drums, Steve Mackey is on bass, and a few other guests who will be noted below.
Yates kicks off with his original cut “Burnin’ Tears.” Strident guitar, a great groove and passionate vocals are the order of the day here. Kevin’s Hammond also shines on the cut. Yates delivers with fantastic solo work and throughout on guitar. “Need To Know You Better” follows, another great original cut. Yates sings with feeling and his guitar soloing and the Hammond organ by his Dad make this cut special. The same ensemble continues on the third cut, also original, ”Run It In The Ground” where the quintet deliver a rousing and driving song for us to enjoy. More super solo guitar work, solid piano, rhythm guitar and the bass and drum backline are strident and solid in support.
James Brown’s “I Don’t Care” gets reworked into Yates McKendree’s style of blues. Kevin’s piano and the horn section of Jim Hoke (saxes), Steve Herrman (trumpet), and John Hinchey (trombone) deliver superb performances in support. The classic Earl King cut “Trick Bag: follows. A driving beat, piano and staunch guitar make this memorable. Delbert McClinton makes a cameo appearance vocally as song’s the father-in-law. Next is “Something You Got,” a 1961 tune by NOLA R&B artist Chris Kenner. Yates sings with feeling, plays the guitar with equal emotion as he is supported well by the band.
The traditional “See See Rider” gets a classy instrumental reworking with Yates and Kevin both delivering outstanding performances. The guitar playing is wickedly cool. Willie Dixon’s hit “I Can’t Stop” and Yates gives us some Chicago blues to truly savor here. Great guitar is featured once again and McKendree howls out the lead vocals. Magic Sam’s “Give Me Time” is next, and here Yates handles all the instruments except for electric piano with Dad Kevin on that. Great guitar, organ, drums and bass by the young musical great.
“Good As Gone” is another McKendree family “duet,” here with Kevin on organ and guitar and Yates on vocals. Lead guitar, drums and bass. Another stinging guitar performance as this one rocks and jives along with a fast beat and a great sound. A favorite country pop song of mine from my youth is next, Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode To Billy Joe.” Yates handles the lead with vocals and Hammond organ instead of guitar. He also handles bass and half the drum duties. Photoglou does the other half of the drumming and Frahm switches to lead guitar. It’s a great rendition of a super song.
Charles Brown’s “I Wanna Go Home” gets a unique cover with Yates and Sean “Mack” McDonald sharing vocals. Yates plays upright bass, Mack plays drums and Kevin McKendree is on piano. Neither of the two young guitar studs play guitar; it’s cool cut and Kevin’s piano is the primary lead instrument as the two young musicians vocally star together here. The final track is “Tide,” an original with Yates on guitar, bass, Hammond organ and washer and dryer. Sluppick adds percussion on this edgy and cool instrumental. Well done!
Yate McKendree shines here. His musicianship and ability to entertain shows the experience he’s gained since Buchanan Lane. While his first album was amazing, this one is even better and showcases the amazing talents of this burgeoning superstar. Everyone on the album does yeoman’s work– it’s a tight and exemplary effort by all involved. Yates is the catalyst in all this; his performances are superb. Go get this album now– every blues fan will love it!
