ROADHOUSE BLUES Reviewed 04-16-08 Delaney Bramlett A New Kind of Blues
Delaney Bramlett, for almost 50 years a legendary performer from the Shindogs, Delaney and Bonnie with friends Leon Russell and Eric Clapton, Delaney has done it all and very successfully I might add. His new CD A New Kind of Blues was like a natural experience for Delaney.
Born in Mississippi he learned guitar at an early age before moving to L.A. in 1959. So you can say Delaney has come home to his roots with this new CD. That gravelly voice of Delaney is unmistakable to those of us old enough to grow up with his music. The CD's a pure joy and masterpiece from a genius of this stature. It is a "New Kind of Blues" because Delaney interprets each song the Bramlett way. He also wrote or co-wrote 10 of the 11 tracks and produced it himself, a guaranteed plus to his credit. This is Grammy material folks. Not a dud on the CD, it is prime beef. Songs include the title track, "Mighty Mighty Mississippi" and a unusual track titled "P.O. Box 32789", "Cold And Hard Times" and "What Do You Do About The Blues".
DELANEY BRAMLETT'S musical history spans four decades making it impossible to pinpoint his contributions to the world of music. Known as a great songwriter, singer & musician, he has also mentored some of the very best: ERIC CLAPTON, DUANE ALLMAN, LEON RUSSELL, GEORGE HARRISON, J. J. CALE... to just name a few.
Over the years, some of his songs have reached "standard" status such as "SUPERSTAR" which he penned with LEON RUSSELL (recorded in 2006 by USHER and in the past by LUTHER VANDROSS, THE CARPENTERS, SONIC YOUTH (who's version was on the 1 Billboard JUNO soundtrack in 2008) and many others); "LET IT RAIN" written with and recorded most notably by ERIC CLAPTON; and "NEVER ENDING SONG OF LOVE" (which was recently on the soundtrack of "RV" and in 2007, "A Good Year") and recorded by over 100 artists including RAY CHARLES, and a recent duet recording by PATTY LOVELESS & DWIGHT YOKUM.
DELANEY also happens to be one of the world's finest music producers. His ears hear things no one else can hear. After ERIC CLAPTON joined DELANEY AND BONNIE & FRIENDS on tour, he produced and co-wrote songs for CLAPTON'S first solo LP. CLAPTON still credits DELANEY for pushing him to sing and teaching him the art. He did the late, great KING CURTIS'S last LP out of which two hits came..."TEASIN" and "LONESOME LONG WAY FROM HOME". He has produced an assortment of artists such as ETTA JAMES, ELVIN BISHOP, JOHN HAMMOND, DOROTHY MORRISON of "OH HAPPY DAY" fame, THE STAPLE SINGERS, ETC.
GEORGE HARRISON had his 1st slide bottle placed in his hand by DELANEY who taught GEORGE how to play slide which lead into a gospel jam that resulted in HARRISON'S hit, "MY SWEET LORD". BRAMLETT has either recorded with, written with, or been on stage with many of the world's musical legends... to name a few: JOE COCKER, JIMI HENDRIX, JANIS JOPLIN, DAVE MASON, BILLY PRESTON, JOHN LENNON, THE EVERLY BROS., SPOONER OLDHAM, STEVE CROPPER, BILLY BURNETTE, MAC DAVIS, GARY NICHOLSON, DENNIS MORGAN, and his daughter, BEKKA BRAMLETT, the most talented singer in the world (according to him). Just last year DELANEY was one of the duet artists on the hot selling, JERRY LEE LEWIS' album, "LAST MAN STANDING" singing and playing guitar on "LOST HIGHWAY".
Legendary producer and founder of ATLANTIC RECORDS, JERRY WEXLER says some of the best music he ever heard was played by DUANE ALLMAN and DELANEY on the deck of his home in Long Island. The two musicians remained best friends until DUANE'S untimely passing in the 70's.
DELANEY'S world is MUSIC. He has sometimes elected to stay in the studio and at home rather than tour, but his magical gifts are never idle. HE’S ABOUT TO RELEASE 3 brand new albums, back to back, so get ready to rediscover the musical genius of DELANEY BRAMLETT.
1969 Accept No Substitute (Elektra)
1969 Home (Stax)
1970 Delaney & Bonnie & Friends on Tour (WEA / Atlantic)
1970 To Bonnie from Delaney (Atco)
1971 Motel Shot (Atco)
1971 Genesis (GNP/Crescendo)
1972 Something's Coming (Columbia)
1972 Country Life (Atco)
1972 D&B Together (CBS)
1973 Best of Delaney Bramlett (Atlantic)
1973 Mobius Strip (CBS)
1975 Giving Birth to a Song (MGM)
1977 Class Reunion (Prodigal)
1978 Delaney Bramlett with Steve Cropper (Motown)
1990 Best of Delaney & Bonnie (Rhino)
1998 Sounds From Home (DK/Zane)
2002 Sweet Inspiration (Dreamsville)
2008 A New Kind of Blues (Magnolia Gold Records)
See other credits at www.delaneybramlett.com
PRESS PLAY TO LISTEN TO DELANEY ON THE MORNING WOOD WITH LARRY WOODSIDE:
Thanks for all the great music over the years! Our new CD "Mississippi back 40 Rockin'"is available at http://www.cdbaby.com check some of the songs out on our page!
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