Mighty Sam McClain: Blues For The Soul auf CD

*** DSD - Direct Stream Digital ***

Über die Ironie des Schicksals kann Mighty Sam McClain sein ganz eigens Lied singen: Der von vielen US-Kritikern heute als "größter lebender Soul- und Blues-Vokalist" eingestufte Künstler bekam erst als 50-Jähriger die Chance, ein Album unter eigenem Namen einzuspielen. Davor sang er im Background für Hubert Sumlin’ oder die Pop-Chanteuse Patsy Cline (Sweet Dreams) und hielt sich mit Gelegenheitsjobs über Wasser. Doch ein glückliches Ende scheint sich abzuzeichnen: Blues For The Soul präsentiert den Vokalisten, der Bobby Bland, Solomon Burke oder Otis Redding als seine Vorbilder nennt, in Höchstform. Mit einer versierten Band und den fetzigen Mighty-Horns sorgt er für unter die Haut gehende Stimmung und vielleicht auch dafür, dass nach zwei Nominierungen endlich tatsächlich eine Grammy-Verleihung ins Haus steht.

Product Information

New Telarc signing Mighty Sam McClain is considered by many to be our greatest living soul singer. The story of his rise from years of obscurity to his triumphant return to the top tier of soul blues performers is the stuff of legend. Featuring a powerhouse horn section, Blues for the Soul, is a showcase for the Mighty One’s ever-evolving vocal and songwriting talents, and is sure to be considered one of his most masterful recordings.

Produced by McClain’s longtime producer Joe Harley (whose Telarc resume includes discs with Terry Evans and Ronnie Earl), Blues for the Soul spotlights 12 original compositions. Mighty Sam enjoys solid support from his working band (these days its members include three horn players), plus the ever-dependable keyboardist Bruce Katz and trumpeter Joe Casano.

A two-time Grammy nominee and perennial W. C. Handy favorite, Sam McClain was born in Monroe, Louisiana in 1943 and began singing in his mother’s gospel groups at age five. His music is a reflection of the troubled life and many struggles he has gone through. He first rose to stardom in the mid-‘60s, when his cover of Patsy Cline’s "Sweet Dreams" (recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama) landed him onstage at the Apollo Theatre. This was followed by years of oblivion before he resurfaced with a string of releases for Audioquest in the ‘90s. A deeply religious man, McClain is a specialist in Southern soul blues and, as one of its original masters, carries on the tradition of vocalists like Bobby “Blue” Bland, O. V. Wright, Solomon Burke, and Otis Redding.

An active touring artist at the peak of his powers, McClain will hit the road to support Blues for the Soul. Don’t miss Mighty Sam the next time he comes to your town! (concordmusicgroup. com)

Rezensionen

H.​ Kepler in Stereo 8/00: "Soul 'n' Blues, der in jeder Note glaubwürdig rüberkommt.​"