Otis Clay and Johnny Rawls Are Soul Brothers

Otis Clay guested on Johnny Rawls’ last recording, the highly praised “Remembering OV.” Now the two have collaborated for a new Catfood Records release “Soul Brothers.” The veteran blues and soul singers are backed by bassist Bob Trenchard and The Rays on a program of classic soul covers and originals. The production and the backing throughout is first-rate.

Certainly a recording with plenty of charms, it is not consistently up to the level one might imagine from the pairing of the two. Clay does not sound quite as vigorous here as elsewhere. Perhaps the covers of Delaney & Bonnie’s “Only You Know and I Know” and the recently departed Jimmy Ruffins’ “What Becomes of the Broken Heart” don’t come up to the originals, although in fairness on the former number I expected more in the vein of Sam & Dave (“You Don’t Know Like I Know”), which as a duo they don’t equal. Better is the straight cover of Tyrone Davis’ smash, “Turn Back The Hands of Time.” I emphasize these are good performances, simply not extraordinary.

 Rawls (often with Trenchard) continues to be one of the more interesting songwriters today as the bluesy “Voodoo Queen” and the deep soul original “Living on Borrowed Time,” the latter number sounding like vintage OV Wright. “Road Dog” is a collaboration with Trenchard and Clay as he and Rawls sing (with ounchy backing) about playing in Memphis, getting a few hours of sleep and then on to New Orleans. Also included is Rawls gospel original “Hallelujah Lord.”

“Soul Brothers” is a solid collection of southern soul and blues performances even if it does not capture Otis Clay and Johnny Rawls at their very best.

I received my copy from a publicist. Here Otis Clay and Johnny Rawls are seen performing Tyrone Davis’ smash, “Turn Back The Hands of Time."

Johnny Rawls Still Has the Soul and Blues

Johnny Rawls initially emerged as part of Rawls & Luckett who first had an album over a quarter-century ago for Rooster blues. A Mississippi native, Rawls previously had been O.V. Wight’s band director and the band backed other soul and blues acts like Little Johnny Taylor after the legendary Wright passed away. Subsequently Rawls emerged as a solo act with several albums on JSP (as well as produced several albums for that label) before hooking up with Catfood Records.

Rawls has a new release on Catfood, Memphis Still Got Soul, that should continue to embellish his reputation as a strong soul and blues performer. Included are eleven songs, ten of which are originals from Rawls and/or co-producer Bob Trenchard and from two sessions. One session of from Texas and other from Montana (on which Johnny plays guitar), but both with live musicians. Trenchard and Rawls contributed the title track with its echoes of Elvis leaving the building, but Beale Street is still happening even if we lost some of the great ones and Memphis still has soul. The band captures the right groove, Andy Roman takes a strong tenor sax solo and Rawls nails the vocal.

The title track is followed up by a cover of the O.V. Wright classic Blind, Crippled and Crazy, whose lyric Rawls tears into with solid backing on a solid cover. Get What You Need, is a groover that should get folk on the dance floor while Take You For a Ride, is a driving piece of stone southern soul as Johnny tells his lady they will dance slow in the dark. Stop the Rain is a soulful lament as he pleads to stop the rain that is falling from his eyes, while Johnny McGhee’s guitar helps propel the funky Burning Bridges, about a gentleman one can’t trust and Mr. Guitar, where Johnny talks about not being a big superstar who has never won a Handy or a Grammy but all he needs is his guitar, with which he adds the fills here and takes the track out with a fade. Blues Woman, has a medium tempo rock-steady rhythm where Johnny strongly sings about wanting a woman he can relate to, not one that is into fancy champagne.

Those familiar with Rawls will not be disappointed. There are strong soulful songs that are terrifically played. The emphasis is on Rawls vocals, so those expecting lots of lengthy guitar solos will be disappointed. This is a solid follow-up to his other recent recordings and I would expect it to be as warmly received on the Southern soul circuit as well as blues fans who enjoy strong contemporary soul recordings.


I received a review copy from a publicist handling this release.

Bobby Rush, Chick Willis, and more coming to DC area May 26

PICT1496 Bobby & dancer
Originally uploaded by NoVARon.

Big Pre-Memorial Weekend Blues Festival takes place at Lamont's at 440 Livinston Road, PoMonkey (or Indian Head in Charles County) Maryland, Saturday May 26. Music starts with Jim Bennett & Lady Mary followed by Big G coming all the way from Richmond. Then DC's legendary Bobby Parker is up with The Blues Night Band, followed by Chick Willis who will play with your poodle and also do "Stoop Down Baby, but insofar as he is playing with Jacques Johnson, one should expect some Albert King tributes and the saxman maybe will do his "Root Doctor." Finally Bobby Rush, appearing at Lamont's for the 1st time who certainly get the crowd really going. Hey the show is on the picnic grounds (unless weather forces it inside) and will end around sunset with an afterparty going on afterwards. So you can spend a day at one of the best lineups in this area and still go out and catch some more blues wherever you want to.
The phone number for Lamont's is (301) 283-0225