Not only is this a supremely funky track, but the lyrics impart some basic "keep it simple" wisdom that I would do well to heed these days. When he recorded
The Ol' Blues Singer in the mid-'70s, "
Lowell Fulson":http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:hifrxq95ldke was already a well-established blues guitarist/vocalist with a few decades of recording and performing under his belt. But for this album he was clearly of a mind to dabble in funk and soul-blues, and toward that end he assembled a crew of seasoned heavyweights -- most notably "
Steve Cropper":http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gifoxqw5ldte on guitar and "
Al Jackson, Jr.":http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gcfexqegldae on drums. These two aces were essential members of Booker T. & The MGs, and you can hear how crucial they are to this track. The other indispensable player here (besides Fulson himself, of course) is Ralph Hamilton on the bass -- he sets the tempo and energy level with his solo introduction, and he finds the perfect pattern to lock into the central hook that alternates between guitar and Wurlitzer electric piano. A bit further in, check out his courageous playing in verse 3 after the guitar solo, where he plays with the feel by repeatedly alternating a measure of funk with a measure of just holding the root. Playing this over the V (dominant) chord is "wrong," and something a greener bassist would steer clear of, but here it's genius. Not surprisingly, Hamilton played with many of the greats, including Ray Charles, Jimmy Witherspoon, Percy Mayfield, Jay McShann, Big Joe Turner and others.But don't mind me -- you don't have to listen that closely if you don't wanna. Just
feel it. Life's too beautiful to rush away, baby.
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