Johnny Rawls I Miss Otis Clay

Johnny Rawls
I Miss Otis Clay
Third Street Cigar Records

Soul-Blues singer and guitarist Johnny Rawls has a new release whose title track is a salute to his friend, the late Otis Clay. "I Miss Otis Clay" is Rawls' first album for Third Street Cigar Records after a long association with Catfood Records. He had a long association with Clay that included an album they did together in 2015, "Soul Brothers" on Catfood. The musicians backing Rawls are Larry 'Mr. Entertainment' Gold on guitar, Johnny 'Hi-Fi' Newmark on bass, Cadillac Dan Magers on keyboards, Scott Kretzer on drums, Ric Wolkins on trumpet, and Mark Lemle on sax.

The album opens with the insistent groove of "California Shaking Again," as he sings about part tying all night along. Rawls wrote all the songs here and sings with the same low-key, but the subtly urgent approach that has made him so popular. These are well-crafted original soul-blues numbers handsomely backed and performed. Then there is "Give a Toast to the Blues," where he notes that the blues make you feel good and then salutes blues greats like B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Albert King Etta James, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Junior Wells, and others. The horns add a nice punch to this number. The title track is a marvelous tribute where Rawls first talks about Otis Clay's background and then how good a singer he was as well as being Rawls' good friend. Magers is outstanding on keyboards (both piano and organ) here.

On "I Can't Let Nobody," and "Can't Read Your Mind," Rawls captures the groove and feel of the classic Hi Recordings by Clay and O.V. Wright in whose band he played. His vocal on the latter number stands out as he pleads for his woman to give a sign of what she wants from him. Then there is the dance floor pleaser, "Slow Roll It," where he tells his lady to squeeze and hold him close as she had all the movements. This CD closes with a beautiful performance of a poignant ballad, "The Wind."

Johnny Rawls produced this recording (Third Street Cigar's John Henry was executive producer). It reflects Rawls' considerable recording experience and his attention to getting the sound right. Rawls' recordings and performances have reached both the blues and southern soul audiences. The superb "I Miss Otis Clay" is another outstanding Johnny Raws recording that will also have this wide appeal.

I received a review copy from Third Street Guitar Records. Here is Johny singing "I Miss Otis Clay."