ARNOLD McCULLER
YOU CAN'T GO BACK
Passion Jazz, 1999
1) You Can't Go Back 2) Shooting Star 3) Chained
4) Close to Heaven 5) Love Is Healing 6) Little Rose 7) I Am a
Camera 8) The Deepest Blue 9) Feels Like Rain 10) Goin' All Out
of My Way 11) Emily 12) You Can't Go Back (reprise)
Words can't describe what a MAGNIFICENT and TRULY
ESSENTIAL CD this is. For those of you who adore soul music,
vocal jazz and music played as it used to be with real live and
talented session musicians, then you will want this CD
immediately.
There are so many positives with this album that however I try I
simply cannot do enough justice to it. Like an extremely fine
wine Arnold McCuller's voice has so many
elements within it: there are traces of Leon Ware,
Booker T. Jones, Phil Perry and even Curtis
Mayfield in places. Unlikely though it sounds, the man's
luxuriant voice is really that expressive.
There isn't a single track that is beneath the sophistisoul
level! For starters we have the lyrically positive You Can't
Go Back which is SUPERB and is thoroughly essential with the
vocal nuance of Leon Ware / Booker T. Jones with an aura of Maxwell's
Sumthin Sumthin or even Matrimony: Maybe You as
the tasty backdrop - although more rich and `real'.
As for the other cuts, Close to Heaven is really beyond
belief. Love Is Healing haunting to the extreme, filled
with sax and live session musicians layered in ultra-soulful
vocals with a chorus very much Leon Ware in feel. You cannot and
will not want to do without this track.
There is a variety here, too, with the Latin cut I Am a
Camera with the Phil Perry vocal touches, as well as the
smoky jazz club feel of Goin' All Out of My Way -
delicious! In addition, The Deepest Blue is a
showstopper in every possible sense: check out that smooth and
velvety voice... Mmmm.
Finally, Feels Like Rain is a cool, jazzy downtempo
number with some very stylish lyrics. All the other tracks are
equally outstanding - that you will discover, and agree with
yourself. Deliciously essential, wonderfully refreshing and must
be owned by those who love classy music.
The review by Barry Towler exclusively for RECORD CORNER, which is one of the leading soul shops in the world. The review is not featured in our printed issue.
Other albums of the Month in 1999
Albums of the Month in 1998
Albums of the Month in 1997
