Dave Keller Every Soul’s a Star

Dave Keller
Every Soul’s a Star
Catfood Records

This writer has been a fan of the multi-talented Dave Keller since seeing him perform as well as back Johnny Rawls several years ago. This soul-blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist impressed and impressed me enough to support one of his recording projects. His new album is his first for the Catfood Records label, the label of his good friend Rawls, with Jim Gaines handling the production. he is backed by the label's studio band, The Rays, consisting legendary Motown guitarist Johnny McGee, along with Bob Trenchard – bass; Dan Ferguson - Hammond B3, Wurlitzer, keyboards; Richy Puga – drums; Mike Middleton – trumpet; and Nick Flood - tenor and baritone sax; plus backing vocals from Janelle Thompson and Shakara Weston; and percussion from Christopher Serrano.

With a voice that might suggest Delbert McClinton, gets right into a soulful groove with the opening "Don't Let Them Take Your Joy," adding a stinging solo to his stirring vocal, as he urges the listener to remember what makes one happy and fly, fly fly … ." It is a small gem of a performance in part due to the strong support provided by The Rays. The title track is a celebration of folks being who they are and then followed by the one cover, Ronnie Shannon's "Baby, I Love You." McGee takes the guitar lead with Keller's adding his phrasing, including a brief spoken rap, to a fresh interpretation of the Aretha Franklin's hit. Then there is a lovely heartfelt ballad "You Bring the Sunshine" that is so soulfully performed with the Rays coming off like the Swampers or Hi Rhythm Section (and Dan Ferguson shines on this).

Other highlights on a consistently superior recording include "It's All In Your Eyes," and "Kiss Me Like You Miss Me," both with McGee's concise solos. With strong original songs (one can easily imagine some of these being done by other performers), solid and empathic backing from The Rays, and Dave Keller's fervent performances, Keller again has produced another soul-blues gem.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the November-December 2018 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 381).  Here is Dave Keller performing.

For folks in the DMV area, Dave Keller will be performing Fri Aug 2, St. Georges Country Store, St. Georges, DE, band, Sat Aug 3, Route 66 Club, Edgewood, MD, band and on Sun Aug 4, JV's, Falls Church, VA, band w/ Gabe Stillman, tent.