Album Review: PAUL ROSE – Double Life
Mita Records
From the rich and fluid guitar licks to the classic blues arrangements and even the tasteful splashes of delicious Hammond organ, the cream of this collection should prompt worthy comparisons with the playing of Walter Trout or Stevie Ray Vaughan. That is setting the bar very high, but this is a very accomplished, polished and complex album.
Incredibly, ‘Double Life’ is Paul Rose’s 12th album. Hailing from Newcastle, this was recording in a mere 15 days at the famous Steakhouse Studios in Hollywood with a top class cast of collaborators.
Vocals duties are shared between Sweet Pea Atkinson (Was Not Was, Lyle Lovatt), Raffia Ford (previously seen backing Aretha Franklin and Gloria Estafan) and Bernard Fowler (25 years as a Rolling Stones backing singer).
That 15 day recording turnaround helps to capture a fresh, live feel on this platter and there is no obvious compromise on quality in favour of haste. Vocals are lush, guitar lines are clear and the assorted musos manage to gel the sound into a balanced output.
The material here is not original, which is the only reason to temper the enthusiasm for the project. Nevertheless, there are some rediscovered gems. Most of the tracks plough a fertile blues rock furrow. But scratch the surface and there is a lot more going on. Album opener, a cover of James Brown’s ‘Cold Sweat’ pumps along joyously and the smouldering, languid guitar lead in the last half of the track is worth the album price alone. ‘Ball And Chain’ has thick slabs of heart-warming blues boogie packed into every nook and cranny. Ike Turner’s ‘Crazy ‘Bout You Baby’ is funky and inventive. ‘Dark End Of The Street’, here is a mellow, soulful workout that both Ry Cooder and Gram Parsons have had their mits on in the past.
Set closer, T-Bone Walker’s oft covered ‘Stormy Monday’, could have been a mistake: done too often, too many comparisons to draw. But Rose pulls it off. Yes, it’s indulgent. Never mind that. Just wallow in those perfectly paced solos that scream, buck and dive over a rhythm as comfy as an old pair of slippers. Sweet Pea Atkinson is a joy here, stretching out and improvising on the sparse vocal.
Whilst this collection will have blues fans salivating, the healthy servings of soul, funk, country and jazz smeared across the tracks lift this album into the top division.
*****
Dave Atkinson
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