Blue Monday (under covers)
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Artist:
the fact that there are thus far a grand total of TWO (count 'em) MOG posts on Lou Rawls indicates just how low his star has fallen since his death at the age of 72 in January 2006. He was one of the greatest baritones of his generation, and a consistently fine performer from his jazz days with Les McCann, through his work with Sam Cooke, to his best known tune "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" in 1976.
Here he is, however, at Muscle Shoals in 1970, under the watchful eyes of Rick Hall and David Axelrod, covering an old Sam Cooke favourite. Might that be Duane Allman on guitar?
Locating MOG account...
Comments (3)
Either Duane or Spooner Oldham. It's pretty close to the obligato that opens Aretha's 'Chain Of Fools', which is him. It's a storming track - I must look up some details on David Axelrod. He seems to have landed in some pretty interesting places.
He puts a different spin on this, doesn't he? And while I agree he's got a marvelous voice, I believe he totally missed the tenor of the lyric with this performanc. That being said, this music is a delight to hear. Its got that loose feel that only real tight ensembles can achieve, you know? Cool, loose n makin' seem so easy. In that context, Mr Rawls performance is sparkling as he reacts and interacts with the musician's work.
But again.....this performance almost seems joyous whereas the lyric is sad and mournful. (Does any of this make sense?)
I agree with dmdm. In the 1950s, according to billboard.com, Rawls was a member of the Highway QCs, the Chosen Gospel Singers and the Pilgrim Travelers, and later he sang backup on Sam Cooke's original hit recording of this song.