"…It
Feels All Right…"
Eddie
Hinton's voice is part Otis Redding part Bobby Womack part Frankie Miller - and
as you can imagine with credentials 'that' good - his guttural singing style is
considered to be a thing of wonder among soul aficionados. Recorded in November
1977 at the Muscle Shoals Sound Recording Studio in Sheffield, Alabama and
released in March 1978 on Capricorn CPN-0204 in the USA only - this obscure and
criminally forgotten LP received good reviews at the time of release but
produced poor sales. And it's been the very definition of 'lost masterpiece'
ever since.
Sporting
what has to be one of the worst titles for an LP ever - and an album cover that
isn't much better - Eddie Hinton's "Very Extremely Dangerous" is a
Soul-Rock LP on a label more associated with the Southern Boogie of The Allman
Brothers, The Marshall Tucker Band and Elvin Bishop.
This
August 1997 American CD Remaster of the album (Audio done by FRED MEYER) is a
straightforward transfer of the 1978 LP and was part of Polygram's
"Capricorn Classics" CD series on Capricorn 314 536 111-2 (Barcode
731453611122). But like the original vinyl LP - it too is now deleted and
become equally rare and pricey (42:05 minutes).
1.
You Got Me Singing [Side 1]
2.
Concept World
3.
I Got The Feeling
4.
Shout Bamalama
5.
Get Off In It
6.
Brand New Man [Side 2]
7.
Shoot The Moon
8.
We Got It
9.
Yeah Man
10.
I Want It All
The
session players for the album were:
EDDIE
HINTON - Guitar, Piano & Vocals
BARRY
BECKETT - Piano, Organ and Moog Synthesizer (also Produced)
JIMMY
JOHNSON - Guitar
DAVID
HOOD - Bass
ROGER
HAWKINS - Drums
HARRISON
CALOWAY - Trumpet
HARVEY
THOMPSON - Tenor Saxophone
DENNIS
GOOD - Trombone
RONNIE
EADES - Baritone Saxophone
"You
Got Me Singing", "I Got The Feeling", "We Got It" and
"Yeah Man" are solo Hinton songs with ALVIN HOWARD co-writing on
"Concept World", "Get Off In It", "Brand New Man"
and "I Want It All". DAN PENN of the legendary Dan Penn/Spooner Oldham
song-writing team co-wrote "Shoot The Moon" while "Shout
Bamalama" is not surprisingly - an Otis Redding cover version.
Barry
Beckett's production is typically accomplished and lovely (he was one of the
founders of the Muscle Shoals Studios). His history in music is extraordinary -
and apart from being on so many legendary sessions as to be ridiculous - he was
also at the production helm of umpteen great albums - "Communiqué” by Dire
Straits (their underrated 2nd album) and Dylan's "Slow Train Coming"
to name but a few (with Jerry Wexler). Which brings me to Meyer's remaster
combined with Beckett's top production values - it's produced a delicious
finish on this CD - a lovely warm sound that's full and sweet.
The
songs have a distinctly Southern feel - they range from mellow to funky and are
most effective when they slow right down. The majestic soulful build of "I
Got The Feeling" is typical - a slow soulful groove is found, licking
guitar then backs it up and is sided by the legendary Muscle Shoals brass - all
the while Eddie is wailing like Otis is in the room and he has to impress his
mentor. The boppin' "Shout Bamalama" sounds Little Richard in party
mode with the boys in the band having a ball. “Yeah Man” is fabulous too – a
slinky little number that goes down like honey. But the album's gem for me is
"Get Off Of It" which is almost Van Morrison in its mystical soulful
vibe - it's just beautiful. It contains the album's title in its lyrics and is
as successful a fusion of rock and southern soul as I've ever heard.
The
downside is of course acquiring this peach. Most will baulk at the extortionate
prices now being asked for this rare deletion (time for a re-issue Hip-O
Select), but when you hear it - you'll understand why it's worth the
wallet-full required.
Lovely
stuff - and recommended big time...
PS: this review is dedicated with affection to
the memory of Barry Beckett who passed away in June of 2009...and see also reviews for "Cover Me: The EDDIE HINTON Songbook" by Various Artists (2018 Ace Records CD) and "A Mighty Field Of Vision: The Anthology 1969-1993" (2005
Raven CD)
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