I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Let's Have A Party, from Gerald McClendon, and it's a cool R&B/Blues release. Opening with Keep On Keepin' On, Gerald McClendon sets the bar high with a strong soul track, backed by Joe Burba on guitar, Tony Llorens on Fender Rhodes, Jim Pugh on B3, Skinny Williams on sax, Johnny B. Grayden on bass, and Twist Turner on drums. Very nice. On blues track, If That Ain't The Blues, McClendon's lead vocal balances perfectly with Rico McFarland's response on guitar. Harlan Terson's bass line sets a perfect bottom for the fluid soloing of McFarland. Pack Your Bags and Go has classic soul styling with real nice sax work by Williams. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Throw This Dog A Bone with its bluesy vocals and gripping, "BB King" like guitar phrasing by Joe Burba and McFarland. Another of my favorites on the release is I Just Can't Take Anymore, with McClendon in the spotlight vocally and it's classic vocal phrasing. Burba lays in a real nice guitar solo punctuating this one and Ariyo Ariyoshi's Fender Rhosed work glistens but this track is all about McClendon and his soulful delivery. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Funky Stuff with it's solid bass line by Art love and tight guitar soloing by Melvin Taylor. This release has just the right amount of R&B, soul and blues to give everybody what they want. Very nice.
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