Jazz
From Grove Press Guide to Blues on CD
In 1962, when this, his first, album was made, Lou Rawls was a singer fresh off the "chitlin' circuit" who had a few years to tough out till pop stardom. Here he wraps his rich, gospel- trained baritone around jazz and blues standards, with a swinging little combo led by pianist Les McCann underpinning his relaxed cordiality. Three previously unissued tracks unearthed for the CD, notably "Blues Is a Woman," further display Rawls's concentration and
his deliberation of a lyric.
By Frank John Hadley.
**
When Capitol Records paired Rawls with pianist Les McCann for Rawls's debut album Stormy Monday (1962), they hoped to take advantage of the singer's comfortability with jazz and blues tunes like "T'aint Nobody's Business If I Do" and "Blues Is a Woman". Because Rawls, like Cooke, never sought to overpower a song -- muting some of the less-nuanced features of the black gospel tradition -- Rawls seemed destined for a career singing for the same supper-club crowd that label-mate Nancy Wilson had become so adept at reaching. Recording at a time when Motown was just catching its stride and the Stax/Muscle Shoals sound had yet to make its imprint, Rawls' career seemed be in flux. But it was his third album Tobacco Road and the title track that gave some inkling of the style that would finally prime for mass appeal.
By Mark Anthony Neal.
**
01. (They Call It) Stormy Monday 3:45
02. God Bless the Child 4:30
03. See See Rider 3:11
04. Willow Weep For Me 5:57
05. I´m Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town 4:00
06. In the Evening When The Sun Goes Down 3:28
07. ´Tain´t Nobody´s Biz-ness If I Do 2:46
08. Lost and Lookin´ 3:12
09. I´d Rather Drink Muddy Water 3:55
10. Sweet Lover 3:08
11. Blues Is A Woman 2:58
12. A Little Less of Lou´s Blues 2:23
13. (They Call It) Stormy Monday (Alternate Take) 2:58
**
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