Search - Carl Weathersby :: Come to Papa

If guys like Carl Weathersby and Robert Cray are any indication, the trend in contemporary blues is to infuse a heavy dose of soul into the proceedings--Stax-era classic soul, to be precise. There was more than a little of it mixed into Cray's Take Your Shoes Off; likewise, with Come to Papa--a soul-sounding title if ever there was one--Weathersby sexes it up with incredibly smooth vocals and soaring guitar lines. While there's a strong element of Chicago in Weathersby's sound, there's just as much soul, especially on slower numbers like the sultry "Walking the Back Streets and Cryin'," or his extremely mellow take on the Charles Brown classic "Drifting Blues," which closes the album. As befits such soulful blues, Come to Papa features a strong, tight horn section on the funkier numbers, such as the title track, with guest vocals from Ann Peebles, and "(I Feel Like) Breakin' Up Somebody's Home." This is, overall, a solid effort with excellent songwriting, although memorable moments--like the guitar solo on "A Good Man Is Hard to Find"--are few. One doesn't expect a raw edge on an album like this; still, a bit more of the fire that made 1996's Don't Lay Your Blues on Me such a success would be welcome. --Genevieve Williams