Delbert McClinton
Band members Related acts
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- Delbert McClinton -- vocals, harmonica, guitar
supporting musicians (1976) - Tom Brannon -- backing vocals - Ken Buttrey -- drums - Harrison Calloway -- trumpet - Jerry Carrigan -- drums - John Lee Christopher -- guitar - Tommy Cogbill - bass - Ron Eades -- sax - Bobby Emmons -- organ - Don Gant -- backing vocals - Mike Leech -- bass - Christopher Rose -- trombone - Harvey Thompson -- sax - Bergen White -- backing vocals - Bobby Wood -- keyboards - Reggie Young --
guitar
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- Johnny & the Jills (Delbert McClinton) - The Ron-dells (Delbert McClinton) - Los Super-Sevens (Delbert McClinton) |
Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Genuine Cowhide Company: ABC Catalog: ABCD-959 Year: 1976 Country/State: Lubbock, Texas Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: original embossed cover; includes original lyric inner sleeve Available: 2 Catalog ID: 4709 Price: $15.00 Cost: $66.00
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1976's "Genuine Cowhide" has never been one of my Delbert McClinton favorites, though lots of fans will probably disagree with that assessment. Produced by Chip Young and backed by an impressive cast of sessions players, this time around McClinton shifted his attention away from country to R&B flavored numbers. While change can be good, my big complaint with the set stemmed from the absence of quality originals. This time out there were only two McClinton penned numbers - ' I'm Dying As Fast As I Can' and 'Special Love Song'. Probably not a surprise, but those two performances were among the album's highlights. While there's nothing wrong with McClinton's covers of classics by the likes of James Brown ('Please, Please, Please') and Fats Domino ('Blue Monday'), there simply wasn't much he could add to the story. The results were competent, if hardily inspirational.
And a quick word about Tom Wilkes striking cover art ... You can't really get the 3D effect here, but the embossed cover reflected what was obviously a condom in a wallet. I still find it somewhat amazing that ABC was willing to release such a daring and perhaps tasteless cover ... yes it is included on my list of favorite covers.
"Genuine Cowhide" track listing: 1.) It's Love Baby (24 Hours a Day) (T. Jarrett) - 2:31 rating: *** stars A rollicking blues number with a full horn section, 'It's Love Baby (24 Hours a Day)' was one of those tracks that probably sounded way better in a live setting with a couple of cold beers. There wasn't anything wrong with the track and the track was actually interesting given McClinton took a rare turn at lead guitar, turning in a tasteful solo that made you wonder why he didn't play lead more often. 2.) Please, Please, Please (James Brown) - 2:40 rating: ** stars McClinton certainly had the chops to cover James Brown's 'Please, Please, Please', but you had to wonder why he bothered. Professional, but anyone familiar with the original won't be particularly impressed and the backing singers were irritating throughout the arrangement. 3.) Lovey Dovey (M. Curtis - Ahmet Ertegun) - 3:22 rating: ** stars A breezy, fun blues number, 'Lovey Dovey' was one of the more commercial tracks on the album, but nothing particularly memorable. 4.) Before You Accuse Me (E. McDaniels) - 3:03 rating: **** stars Opening with some blistering McClinton harp, 'Before You Accuse Me' has become a staple in his show and here, backed by the horns and a fantastic Reggie Young lead guitar solo, he literally ripped the song apart. One of the album highlights. 5.) Blue Monday (D. Bartholomwn) - 2:01 rating: *** stars Another roaring blues number, 'Blue Monday' demonstrated what a great voice McClinton had. He literally didn't even sound like he broke a sweat on this one. The other highlight - Ton Eades nice '50s-flavored baritone sax solo.
- 1976's 'Blue Monday' b/w 'Special Love Song' (ABC catalog number ABC-12218)
6.) I'm Dying As Fast As I Can (Delbert McClinton) - 2:52 rating: **** stars One of two McClinton originals, 'I'm Dying As Fast As I Can' was side one's most rock-oriented tune and a personal favorite.
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2) With a distinctive '40s flavor, 'Lipstick, Powder and Paint' was fun, but probably too cute for most folks. 2.) Pledging My Love (F. Washington - D. Robey) - 2:53 rating: *** stars 'Pledging My Love' is another song that's become a staple in his concert repertoire. Normally I wouldn't be all that impressed by a chestnut like this, but McClinton performance gave it a winning edge. 3.) One Kiss Led To Another (M. Stoller - J. Leiber) - 2:45 rating: ** stars One of two Mike Stoller-Jerry Lieber covers, 'One Kiss Led To Another' was another tune that was simply too cutesy for my tastes. 4.) (When She Wants Good Lovin') My Baby Comes To Me (Mike Stoller - Jerry Leiber) - 2:53 rating: **** stars '(When She Wants Good Lovin') My Baby Comes To Me' was the second Stoller-Lieber cover and McClinton acquitted himself well on this one, giving it a slinky, blues arrangement. Nice. 5.) Special Love Song (Delbert McClinton) - 3:30 rating: **** stars The second McClinton original, 'Special Love Song' was a pretty keyboard powered ballad. Subdued and bluesy, it was one of those tracks that snuck up on you and all of a sudden you were humming the basic melody. 6.) Let the Good Times Roll (L. Travis) - 2:46 rating: ** stars There simply was no reason to have covered 'Let the Good Times Roll'. What could McClinton possibly bring to this chestnut? Beats me since other than Ken Buttrey's manic drumming and Reggie Young's brief guitar solo, the track was completely forgettable.
© Scott R. Blackerby July 2024
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Genre: rock Rating: *** (3 stars) Title: Love Rustler Company: ABC Catalog: AB-981 Year: 1977 Country/State: Lubbock, Texas Grade (cover/record): VG / VG Comments: -- Available: 1 Catalog ID: 4709 Price: $15.00
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Produced by Chip Young, 1977's "Love Rustler" was easily the best of McClinton's three LPs for ABC. Exemplified by material like the title track, 'Let Love Come Between Us' and 'Under Suspicion' McClinton found a near perfect mixture of commercial moves and his R&B roots. Even better was the cover of Tony Joe White's 'Hold On To Your Hiney'. The title would have you think this was little more than a goofy gimmick song, but McClinton turned it into a stunning slice of funk. The album was also rare in that the horn arrangements didn't detract from the energy McClinton generated throughout. Unfortunately just as McClinton was hitting his artistic stride, his relationship with ABC came to an end. 'Course some of that may have to do with the fact ABC's music business was coming to an end at the same time ...
"Love Rustler" track listing:
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2)
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