Search - Delbert Mcclinton :: Nothing Personal

Delbert McClinton's Still Got It!

Ron Frankl | Hendersonville, NC | 03/12/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Delbert McClinton may never record a truly great album, but he's come close a couple of times, but he'll never make a bad one. The sixty-year-old Texan has been making music for forty years, and if his blend of classic rhythm & blues, country, and rock & roll is not highly original, its never less than believable and sincere. Blessed with a solid set of pipes, McClinton is still one of the finest white r&b singers of the last few decades. He also plays a mean harmonica (He gave pointers on the instrument to a young John Lennon in 1962, prior to the recording of the Beatles' first single)."Nothing Personal" is one of the best albums of McClinton's long career. He wrote or co-wrote all thirteen songs, with the opening "Livin' It Down," "When Rita Leaves" and "Birmingham Tonight" this listener's favorites. There is no groundbreaking music here, but that's besides the point. Most artists would be glad to make music this gritty, real and fun at any point in their careers.The closest that Delbert McClinton ever came to a hit single was over two decades ago, when " Givin' It Up For Your Love" almost climbed the charts. Given current tastes, nothing here is going to change that. Delbert has also had bad luck with record companies, as several have folded or reorganized with McClinton's latest recording barely on the streets. He's on a new, independent label with "Nothing Personal" and I'll keep my fingers crossed for him. Certainly McClinton's fans will want to own this, but anyone who enjoys well-crafted, soulful r&b and rock will enjoy "Nothing Personal.""

Barroom Boogie

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 03/27/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Delbert McClinton has been so good for so long, he should get an award for musical consistency. This CD takes us back to the bar where the smoke is thick & the music's hot. "Living it Down" starts the CD with a hot rocker. Delbert sings, "Sometimes you get the honey, sometimes all you get is the sting." A funky tune that bounces as much as rocks comes next in "Gotta Get It Worked On." "When Rita Leaves" is a tear-in-your-beer country lament laced with Spanish guitar: "Rita left with everything but the one red dress I liked." We get a little honky tonk boogie on "Squeeze Me In." Kevin McKendree burns the keyboards with his hot piano. Delbert joined Iris DeMent on her last CD, "The Way I Should"; she returns the favor with a good supporting vocal in the sad country song "Birmingham Tonight." "Baggage Claim" is a slow lusty tune with Todd Sharp's guitar sounding like a dizzy Duane Eddy. You'll want to hit the repeat button on this one. "All Night Long" is another full-tilt rocker recouting a love affair where they "did everything from A to Z." "Don't Leave Home Without It" is an almost elegiac declaration of love. Delbert hits a slow bluesy groove in "Desperation" where the girl is "devil & angel, hand in hand." "Nothing Lasts Forever" maintains the blues mood while picking up the tempo as Delbert advises, "have a good time & try to string a few together." "Read Me My Rights" slows us back down with Kevin McKendree's mournful organ & McClinton's soulful inquiry, "Do you still love me or am I just wastin' my time?" McKendree again shines with the blues piano riff on "All There Is of Me," an I-lost-my-baby song. The CD concludes with what seems like Delbert commenting on his career in "Watchin' the Rain." The melody seems purposefully off-kilter as a man who seems satisfied sings "the best you get is to just get by." Mistake not, this CD more than just gets by! This is one you'll want in your collection![Note: This is my 3rd try at reviewing this. If either of the other 2 show up, sorry! This CD is so good, it's worth the effort!]"

Why are we limited to 5 stars?

Tim | Tallahassee FL USA | 03/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After Delbert's last album (One of the Fortunate Few), I didn't think it was possible to get any better. I was wrong! Nothing Personal is DMac at his best, and it is nothing BUT personal - you have to live life to sing the blues, and our man sings and writes like he's been rode hard and put away wet. When Rita Leaves will probably get the most attention (and it deserves attention) but don't overlook the pure Delbert lyrics on Livin' It Down, or gems like Birmingham Tonight, Read Me My Rights, or my sleeper-pick, Don't Leave Home Without It.This is beautiful sound and as real as it gets."