The album opens with an
interesting bluesy instrumental rendition of “Careless Love.” It begins with a
sort of haunting atmosphere, creeping up on you like daylight in the desert, and
halfway through develops into a strange and strangely pleasant back porch sound.
Seriously, by the end it will probably make you happy, something you might not
have expected when it began. That’s followed by a cool rendition of Jesse Stone’s
“Don’t Let Go.” I first heard this song at a Jerry Garcia Band concert in 1989,
and immediately loved it. The rendition these guys deliver has the right amount
of rock, the right dose of blues, a great measure of soul, and a lot of pep. It’s
fun and loose, turning into a good jam that has at least a couple of people
laughing by the end. Rachael Davis and Ruby Amanfu provide vocals on this track.
Colin Linden and Luther
Dickinson give us an absolutely wonderful rendition of Jimmy Reed’s “Honest I
Do,” its appeal due in large part to Rachael Davis’ vocals, which have a
timeless quality and rise beautifully over that steady blues rhythm. “Don’t you know that I love you/Honest I
do/Oh, I’ve never placed no one above you/Please tell me you love me/Stop driving
me mad.” And damn whoever it was that made her feel “so bad.” The album then returns to “Careless Love,” which is an
unusual and interesting choice. This time it has a sweet and easy folk vibe
right from the start, and features a gorgeous and moving vocal performance by
Rachael Davis. This track is a total gem, with some wonderful stuff on both
guitar and violin.
Then Sam Palladio joins them on
vocals for a bluesy rendition of “Crazy Arms,” which retains a certain country
charm and sweetness in this raw and delicious treatment. At the end, it seems
to be going into another song, but then fades out. That’s followed by “For The
Good Times,” a song written by Kris Kristofferson. This version establishes a
beat before the guitars and bass come in. Then when Ruby Amanfu’s vocals come
in, they have a powerful intimacy. She pulls us in as if without effort. “Let’s just be glad we had this time to spend
together.” Indeed. Oh, she can melt your defenses, and move even the most
soulless of men. This track is another of the disc’s highlights. Both “Crazy
Arms” and “For The Good Times” were number one hits for Pay Price.
Things get hopping with a
delightful rendition of “Lover Please,” a song that was a hit for Clyde
McPhatter in 1962. It was written by Billy Swan, who joins Colin Linden and
Luther Dickinson on vocals for this version. What a treat, and reason enough to
add this CD to your collection! Rachael Davis provides backing vocals. Then
Ruby Amanfu delivers another intimate and passionate vocal performance on “What
Am I Living For,” a song written by Art Harris and Fred Jay, and originally
recorded by Chuck Willis. This rendition has that classic sound, and features
some absolutely wonderful stuff on guitar. That’s followed by a version of Bo
Diddley’s “Dearest Darling” that has a great raw vibe, almost like a rehearsal
or improvised number. I like music that feels immediate, real. Colin Linden
provides vocals on this one. The album concludes with an interesting rendition
of “I Forgot To Remember To Forget,” which was written by Stan Kesler and
Charlie Feathers and recorded by Elvis Presley. This rendition has a strange,
dreamlike quality, which perhaps works well with the idea of forgetting to
remember to forget. It’s like a lullaby being sung to one’s self in a science
fiction realm, perhaps just before machines put you to sleep permanently, a
final and lasting memory. Jonathan Jackson provides the vocals on this one.
CD Track List
- Careless Love
- Don’t Let Go
- Honest I Do
- Careless Love
- Crazy Arms
- For The Good Times
- Lover Please
- What Am I Living For
- Dearest Darling
- I Forgot To Remember To Forget
Amour was released on February 8, 2019.
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