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Percy Sledge
Shining Through the Rain
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Percy Sledge. Who knew? No one is more surprised (and delighted) than yours truly to discover that Mr. Sledge is still alive'n'kickin'...and recording! This is his first album in 10 years, and we weren't even aware of the previous one! The only voice that could elevate the eternal "When a Man Loves a Woman" (1966) to R&B icon status is back, accompanied by special guests Jakob Dylan (The Wallflowers), great lead-vocalist Paul Jones ("The One in the Middle" of early Manfred Mann fame - how cool is that?!), guitarist Phil Upchurch, and the great Carla Olson (Americana/folk artist known for, among other things, her duet efforts with the late, also great ex-Byrd, Gene Clark).
Among the 13 offerings here are cherry-picked tunes by the likes of Steve Earle, The Bee Gees, Jackie Lomax and Carla Olson. The title track leads off with a nice, classic up-tempo R&B stomp. (Warning: you will see the word "classic" used alot in this review.) Sledge's voice has lost just a bit of its edge, but has gained some honey-mellow smoothness in the bargain. "24 - 7 - 365" is a stone-cold Otis Redding-like groover, and it smokes! "Love Come Rescue Me" is classic, slow, soul-based R&B anguish. And Sledge's aching voice reveals the misery exquisitely. Man, this is GREAT stuff! Piano, cello, violin and Sledge's vocals dominate the mid-tempo soul-searcher "A Lonely Violin" and afford a nice change of pace. "Misty Morning" is down-low R&B and showcases Sledge's excellent vocals, with a buzz-saw lead guitar break that sneaks in and spins your head around! Classic! He takes Steve Earle's "My Old Friend the Blues" and makes it his own, his voice tailor-made for this cryin'-in-your-beer classic. "Searching for My Love" is a classic R&B stomper that ranks with the best of the 60's heyday. Jackie Lomax's "Fall Inside Your Eyes" (one of the greatest, but overlooked, songs of all-time) showcases Sledge's voice to perfection. His choice to cover this lost masterpiece speaks volumes! Fantastic! "Road of No Return" is a classic finish to a truly great album...painfully slow soul with socially conscious lyrics reminiscent of Isaac Hayes or Curtis Mayfield.
Throughout, the disc showcases lots of fine low-end via studio/touring ace Bob Glaub, tasty Fender guitar leads and fills via, well, Larry Byrom, or one of five other guest guitarists listed, and the Hammond C-3 organ is all over this disc (via Clayton Ivy) - of course - a perfect fit! The recording quality is superb...everything sounds natural, nothing is boosted or processed...perfect instrumental/vocal balance with a wide, accurate soundstage and an open, airy sound.
Folks, this is one of the best of the few perks we reviewers receive. Had I not received 'Shining Through the Rain' for review, chances are I wouldn't have known about it. So, now you know about it...This is some of the best soul/R&B to come along in years, and just might better Solomon Burke's widely heralded 'Don't Give Up on Me' from 2002. Will 'Shining Through the Rain" revive Percy Sledge's career? In a perfect world, the answer is an emphatic "yes'! Hell, it just might revive R&B...you know, the really good stuff! Grab the good stuff - get this disc! Hear it once, you'll like it...twice, you'll love it...it's that third time that convinces you, in no uncertain terms, that this is truly a great album! Dare I say, yet again, one of this year's best!
Release Date: August 31, 2004
Tracks: 13 - Time: 50:50
Produced by: Saul Davis
Format: CD
Website: www.psledge.com
Track Listing:
Shining Through The Rain / Lonely Hobo Lullabye / 24-7-365 / Love Come Rescue Me / Misty Morning / A Lonely Violin / Big Blue Diamonds / My Old Friend The Blues / Rubies & Diamonds / Change My Mind / Searching For My Love / Fall Inside Your Eyes / Road of No Return.
Percy Sledge:
Percy Sledge - Vocals
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