Vanthology

Various Artists
Vanthology
Evidence

With an overabundance of blues artists recording tributes to rock icons, "Vanthology" stands out. One reason that this tribute to Van Morrison works is that producer Jon Tiven has collected a number of blues and soul legends to perform songs associated with the legendary Irishman, setting this apart from many similar concept discs which seem to have an overabundance of blues-rock guitar pounders.

The performers here include Little Milton, Freddie Scott, William Bell, Bettye Lavette, Eddie Floyd, Sir Mack Rice, Syl Johnson, Otis Clay, Son Seals, Ellis Hooks, Chuck Jackson, Henry Butler, and Bobby Patterson. The producer deliberately did not use horns on this to distinguish these interpretations from Morrison’s originals. The studio band is anchored by Butler with Tiven on guitar, wife Sally Tiven on bass and Simon Kirke on drums who provide funky, sympathetic backing for the awesome vocal talent here. Highpoints among the exceptional performances here include Little Milton’s rendering of "Tupelo Honey," William Bell’s rendition of "Have I Told You Lately," Freddie Scott’s "Brown-Eyed Girl," Bettye pleading vocal on "Real Real Gone." and Eddie Floyd’s Crazy Love. It is a special treat to her Sir Mack Rice, writer of that overplayed staple of blues bar bands "Mustang Sally," take up Morrison’s own bar band classic, "Gloria."

Morrison has been heavily influenced by blues and soul artists, a debt he has freely acknowledged in developing his own distinctive body of music, and some of these the artists pay tribute in this very fine release.

I likely received a review copy from Evidence Records. This review originally appeared in the May-June 2004 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 268). Here is Sir Mack Rice doing "Gloria."

Syl Johnson Back In The Game

Syl Johnson
Back In The Game
Delmark

The Memphis Hi Records label is best known for Al Green’s recordings along with deep soul recordings by O.V. Wright and Syl Johnson. Syl, brother of Chicago bluesmen Mac Thompson and Jimmy Johnson, grew up next to bluesman Magic Sam. He had hits on Twinight and Hi Records, and surfaced on various small labels in the intervening years.
 
Delmark has reunited Johnson with the famed Hi Rhythm Section (brothers Teenie, Leroy and Charles Hodges and drummer Howard Grimes), and a crack horn section for Back in the Game, a mix of soul and blues with a gospel track added (a fervent duet with daughter, Syleena Thompson, Dipped in the Water).

In the opening title track, Johnson makes it clear that he is “back in the game,” with a revived music career. The material includes reprising his Hi recording of Take Me to the River (with Johnson on harp) while his blues roots are displayed with a fine Driving Wheel and the impassioned version of Magic Sam’s All Your Love (dedicated to Sam and his brother Mac). Most of the other songs are deep soul, such as Anyway the Wind Blows and the pleading I Can’t Stop.

Johnson’s singing has lost none of its conviction and this is the best album in this vein since Otis Clay’s live Japanese recording.

I likely received a review copy from Delmark Records. This review originally appeared in the February 1995 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 198). This is still in print. Here is Syl Johnson in performance.