I just received the newest release,
Come Back Baby, from
Linsey Alexander and it is full of grooving R&B Blues flavor! Opening with
Little Bit Of Soap, a BB King style track with Bill McFarland (trombone), Chris Neal (tenor sax) and Ryan Nyther (trumpet), Alexander takes the lead on vocal as well as guitar shared with Breezy Rodio. High stepper
Booze and Blues is driven by a nice bass line from Greg McDaniel and Roosevelt Purifoy weighs in with a sweet organ solo. Slow blues number,
I Got A Woman, finds Alexander at his best with powerful vocals and searing guitar solos. Pooky Styx plays a nice simple contrast on drums as Alexander wails on. Very Nice!
Come Back Baby is solid soul and Alexander is surrounded by horns. A very cool radio track with a nice melody and light airy guitar work. Harmonica wiz, Billy Branch, joins on
Call My Wife, a classic Chicago style track. Branch's featured work on this track as well as simple, soulful guitar riffs from Alexander makes it one of my favorites from the release. Led off my a cool feel and solid snap of Styx,
Things Done Changed is another of my favorites on the release. A head bobbing beat and solid horn work behind Alexander complimented by a nice electric piano solo from Purifoy and Alexander make this another track that stands head and shoulders above. Easy swing track
Can't Drink, Can't Sleep, Can't Eat again features the masterful work of Branch on harp. Alexander takes an easy but effective ride on the fretboard for a little punch. Quick paced R&B track,
Booty Call, is pure and simple with pop hooks and Alexander leading the way with relentless guitar lead.
Too Old To Be A New Fool is another slow blues track with nicely articulated guitar work. Alexander really hits his stride on vocals on this track and again joined by Branch, this track instrumentally is tops. Very nice!
Snowing In Chicago is a smooth R&B track with steamy guitar work complimenting Alexander's cool vocals. Another radio track for sure. Willie Dixon's
I Can't Quit You Baby, is not a direct copy of Dixon (or Rush/Led Zep for that matter) so I find it a bit more interesting as an interpretation. Alexander does the track justice, singing in a much more rich blues styling playing guitar call and response to his own vocals. Purifoy's keyboard work on this track is particularly effective at keeping it tight. Alexander's guitar solo on this track is also one of his richer interpretations on this release.
Funky Feeling is...well funky. With a R&B strut and cool horn work adding accents, this is a cool track. Chris Neal steps up with a really nice tenor solo and of course Alexander smokes the fretboard as well. Easy blues loper,
Goin' Out Walkin', wraps the track. A bright keyboard solo from Purifoy and a relaxed guitar solo from Alexander take this release home.
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