Severn Records artist Lou Pride - Ain't No More In This House - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (October 15, 2013), Aint No More Love In This House, from Lou Pride and it's solid soul. This,the final recording from Pride was just recorded prior to his death in June of 2012. Opening with the title track, Ain't No More Love In This House, Pride establishes that he he was a force to be reckoned with. This is a richly vocal backed track featuring Christal Rheams, Paige Martin and Daryl Duff and horns by Kenny Rittenhouse (trumpet and flugelhorn), Liesl Whitaker (trumpet and flugelhorn), Morgan Price (Sax) and Reginald Cyntje (trombone). On I Didn't Take Your Woman, Pride gets a solid groove going vocally and Benjie Porecki on keys along with the horn section provide a smokey backdrop for the lead work and crisp guitar work of Johnny Moeller. Steve Gomes lays down a very cool bass line keeping this track rolling tight. Speaking the intro to Take It Slow, Pride walks you into his smooth soul groove and envelopes you with the warmth of this track. Never is an easy tempo track which has been covered by several Reggae bands and the thread remains constant with the horn harmony. Pride adjusting back and forth from his natural singing voice to his falsetto voice is particularly successful on this track. Moeller opens the doors with hot guitar riffs on She Boom Boom Me, the track showing traces of JG Watson. Moeller is alive on this track really stiring up the flames and Rittenhouse and Whitaker riding high on the wave. Excellent! Love Come Got Me is a bopping cool soul track with Robb Stupka showing strong drum chops and Moeller and Porecki providing the basis for the track and Rittenhouse and Whitaker adding punctuation throughout. Solid vocal backing really gives pride free rein to guide the track. I Gotta Move On Up has a super sway and pride lays back on the track just riding the melody. He has an excellent feel for this style of music and it's a genuine pleasure to listen to him roll it out. Moeller takes a cool guitar solo on this track as well punching up the track. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast, has Pride in a somewhat spiritual posture singing lead over a smooth bed of keys and percussion. Adding his lead vocals over a cloud of backing vocals really works especially well on this track. Wrapping the release is Holding Back The Years, a faster soul track with a cool groove. This entire release has strong character and warmth which makes it an absolute pleasure to listen to.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE” This track is not from the new release but characteristic of Lou's work.

Severn Records Set to Release Lou Pride's Final Album, "Ain't No More Love In This House," on October 15

Severn Records Set to Release Lou Pride’s Final Album, Ain’t No More Love In This House, on October 15

Late Soul/Blues Singer Leaves a Lasting Legacy on Powerful CD

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Severn Records announces an October 15 release date for Ain’t No More Love In This House, the final album from the late soul/blues singer Lou Pride, who passed away in June, 2012. Pride, who died in his hometown of Chicago of natural causes while in hospice care, had just finished recording the tracks for what would become his last album, and Ain’t No More Love In This House serves as a lasting testament to his brilliantly soulful voice.   

“It is with great joy that we are releasing the final work of master soul-singer Lou Pride,” writes Severn Records president David Earl in the new album’s liner notes. “Not only was Lou an extraordinary talent, but he was also a generous human being always willing to help out when he could. Lou never complained about the fact that stardom and huge sales seemed to elude him throughout his career and was appreciative of any help he could get. It was a genuine honor to document his music and bring it to the world. Now that over a year has passed since his untimely passing, I felt it appropriate to release his final album to his loyal fans. Maybe as the years go by I will be able to listen as they will. We’ll miss you, Lou.”

Over the course of many months into early 2012, Lou had been recording the new album, and while his time on earth was to end soon thereafter, his powerful soul-drenched voice remained strong throughout the sessions. The proof is evident on the 11 tracks of Ain’t No More Love In This House, which features four Lou Pride originals, as well as his distinctive takes on several cover songs, including an amazing version of the Simply Red classic, “Holding Back the Years,” which closes the album and can only be described as “transcendent.” It’s a fitting conclusion to a landmark album that will leave an indelible legacy of the artist’s career.

Other remarkable performances appear on the new CD: “I Didn’t Take Your Woman,” which echoes the original Ann Peebles classic sound on Hi Records (with the genders reversed); Lou’s soulful version of “Never,” a song recorded by several reggae singers; “I Gotta Move On Up,” previously done by Luther Allison; and Lou’s sentimental, personal favorite, “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast.”     

Truly a labor of love and respect, Ain’t No More Love In This House was produced by David Earl and Steve Gomes and recorded/mixed at Severn Sound Studios in Annapolis, Maryland. The core band backing Lou Pride on the sessions was Johnny Moeller (of the Fabulous Thunderbirds) – guitar; Benjie Porecki – keyboards; Steve Gomes – bass; Robb Stupka – drums; Mark Merella – percussion; and Earl Wilson – rhythm guitar. The horns were arranged and conducted by Kenny Rittenhouse.  

Severn Records released three prior CDs on Lou Pride: Words of Caution in 2002 and Keep on Believing in 2005, as well as a compilation of some of his greatest early singles and unreleased tracks, titled The Memphis/El Paso Sessions (1970-73). That CD included a number of tracks recorded at Willie Mitchell’s famous Royal Recording Studios in Memphis and featured him backed by the Hi Records house band of Teenie Hodges (guitar) Charles Hodges (organ), Leroy Hodges (bass) and Howard Grimes (drums), along with the Memphis Horns and Memphis Strings.

Although not as widely known as some of his contemporaries, such as Bobby “Blue” Bland, Little Milton and Johnnie Taylor, Lou Pride’s talent and soulfulness were the equal of any of those iconic singers. He was known for his electrifying live shows and a vocal delivery that went from a whisper to a commanding growl.

Born George Lou Pride on May 24, 1944 in Chicago, he grew up on the Windy City’s north side and first experienced singing gospel music, attending the Baptist Church pastored by Nat King Cole’s father. Watching a live B.B. King performance converted Pride, however, and he was soon on his way singing soul and blues on the Chitlin' Circuit throughout the South and Midwest. His first acclaimed singles were recorded in the early ‘70s while living in El Paso, Texas, and he soon relocated to New Mexico. He toured early on with such artists as B.B. King, Clarence Carter, Betty Wright, Koko Taylor and Kool and the Gang.

After returning home to Chicago, he was introduced to the great Curtis Mayfield, who recorded him for his Curtom Records label. He later recorded for a number of other labels, including several albums for Ichiban in the ‘90s before hooking up with Severn Records at the turn of the 21^st century. 

Soul-Blues Singer Lou Pride Passes; His Final CD, "Ain't No More Love in This House," To Be Released in the Fall

SOUL-BLUES SINGER LOU PRIDE PASSES

HIS FINAL CD, AIN’T NO MORE LOVE IN THIS HOUSE, TO BE RELEASED IN THE FALL

CHICAGO, IL – Another classic soul-blues voice has been stilled with the announcement today of the passing of Severn Records artist, Lou Pride, who died in his hometown of Chicago last night (June 5) of natural causes while in hospice care. Pride had undergone numerous medical challenges for many years, having suffered several heart attacks and additional circulatory problems. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of the great soul singer Lou Pride,” said Severn Records President David Earl. “Lou lived his life through his music and through the belief that love is always the solution to any worldly problems. It was an honor to know him, call him my friend and to have the opportunity to document his music. We will miss him.”

Over the course of many months last year and into early 2012, Lou Pride had been recording a new album for Severn Records, and that CD, Ain’t No More Love in this House, will be released in the fall. Lou Pride’s powerful soul-drenched voice will be heard on a number of new songs, as well as an amazing version of the Simply Red classic, “Holding Back the Years,” which will leave an indelible legacy of the artist’s career.

Severn Records released three prior CDs on Lou Pride, including Words of Caution in 2002 and Keep on Believing in 2005, as well as compilation of some of his greatest early singles and unreleased tracks, titled The Memphis/El Paso Sessions (1970-73). That CD included a number of tracks recorded at Willie Mitchell’s famous Royal Recording Studios in Memphis and featured him backed the Hi Records house band of Teenie Hodges (guitar) Charles Hodges (organ), Leroy Hodges (bass) and Howard Grimes (drums), along with the Memphis Horns and Memphis Strings.

Although not as widely known as some of his contemporaries, such as Bobby “Blue” Bland, Little Milton and Johnnie Taylor, Lou Pride’s talent and soulfulness were the equal of any of those iconic singers. He was known for his electrifying live shows and a vocal delivery that went from a whisper to a commanding growl.

Born George Lou Pride on May 24, 1944 in Chicago, he grew up on the Windy City’s north side and first experienced singing gospel music, attending the Baptist Church pastored by Nat King Cole’s father. Watching a live B.B. King performance converted Pride, however, and he was soon on his way singing soul and blues on the Chitlin' Circuit throughout the South and Midwest. His first acclaimed singles were recorded in the early ‘70s while living in El Paso, Texas, and he soon relocated to New Mexico. He toured early on with such artists as B.B. King, Clarence Carter, Betty Wright, Koko Taylor and Kool and the Gang.

After returning home to Chicago, he was introduced to the great Curtis Mayfield, who recorded him for his Curtom Records label. He later recorded for a number of other labels, including several albums for Ichiban in the ‘90s before hooking up with Severn Records at the turn of the 21^st century.