Can't Nobody Stop Me Now
Delta Roots Records
This writer first became aware of Chicago-born singer/songwriter/performer Gerald McClendon from a memorable performance on the anthology "Battle Of The Blues: Chicago vs. Oakland." Drummer-songwriter-producer Twist Turner produced that recording. Turner has returned with this full album of deep soul by McClendon, a performer who has become known as "The Soul Keeper." McClendon's vocals are backed by Turner on drums and some stellar studio players. These include Art Love on bass, three great guitar players, Herb Walker, Joe Burba, and Mike Wydra, and three keyboardists, Roosevelt Purifoy, Sumito Ariyoshi, and Brian James, along with Skinny Williams on saxophone and John "Boom" Brumbach on trumpet. Turner wrote all twelve songs here.
A strong, expressive singer, McClendon will evoke some of the classic soul singers of the past such as Sam Cooke, Tyrone Davis, Otis Redding, and others as he sings about being caught in the act by his woman who tells him she does not want to stay on the break-up song, "Where Do We Go From Here." His phrasing and clean delivery of the lyrics underlying a compelling vocal. The breaking up of relationships is also a theme of several other selections, including "She Don't Love Me No More," which features Skinny Williams' burly tenor sax. Then there is the blue ballad, 'i," with some bluesy guitar fills. Of course, other themes include the title song opens this set with a surging groove as he sings about nothing can stop him as he takes control. Another standout song is the slow groover "Groove on Tonight' where he sings about going out and party all night as he needs to find someone to love him right.
Whatever the song or mood, McClendon's command and conviction stands out, along with the first-rate backing provided. Still, the highlight of this recording might be the soul-ballad, "You Can't Take My Love." On this track, Williams again plays a choice sax break in the middle of McClendon's soulful vocal where he tells his woman she can scandalize his name, but she can't take away his love for her. This performance notably displays why Gerald McClendon is "The Soul Keeper." "Can't Nobody Stop Me Now" is an extraordinary deep soul recording that hopefully will bring him the recognition his talent deserves. Also, kudos to Twist Turner for the terrific songs and production.
I received my review copy from a publicist. This will be released on June 12. Here is a promotional video for this recording.
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