Search - Delbert Mcclinton :: One of the Fortunate Few

One of the Fortunate Few
Delbert Mcclinton
One of the Fortunate Few
Genres: Country, Blues, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1

When Robert Cray and the Fabulous Thunderbirds turned their similar combinations of Texas blues and Memphis soul into hit records in 1986, bar bands all across this land thought they had glimpsed the promised land of a lon...  more »

     
   
4

Larger Image

CD Details

All Artists: Delbert Mcclinton
Title: One of the Fortunate Few
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 2
Label: Rising Tide
Original Release Date: 10/7/1997
Release Date: 10/7/1997
Genres: Country, Blues, Pop, Rock
Styles: Contemporary Blues, Electric Blues, Modern Blues, Blues Rock, Country Rock
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 601215304220, 0601215304220

Synopsis

Amazon.com
When Robert Cray and the Fabulous Thunderbirds turned their similar combinations of Texas blues and Memphis soul into hit records in 1986, bar bands all across this land thought they had glimpsed the promised land of a long-awaited blues revival. There has been a flood of soul-blues releases since then, many of which have been respectable, even admirable, but they have lacked the two essential ingredients that gave the genre its artistic peak 30 years ago, as well as its brief resurgence 20 years later--terrific songs and outstanding singers. Delbert McClinton's One of the Fortunate Few has both those elements. The guest vocalists include Mavis Staples, Lyle Lovett, Patty Loveless, Pam Tillis, and Vince Gill, but it's McClinton's own coarse-grained Texas baritone--as supple as a snake and as definitive in its bite--that dominates the soundscape. And it's McClinton's co-producer and cowriter, Gary Nicholson, who makes the difference in the material. Nicholson, whose day job is writing mainstream-country hits, indulges his blues jones at night and has come up with rollicking uptempo numbers and gospel-drenched ballads. Most importantly, Nicholson's lyrics contain both the irreverent wit that Cray lacks and the confessional angst lacking in the T-Birds. The humor crackles in McClinton's belt-it-out vocal on "Old Weakness (Coming on Strong)" and an aching need is felt in his restrained duet with Staples on "Somebody to Love You." --Geoffrey Himes

Similar CDs


Similarly Requested CDs

 

CD Reviews

Man, oh man!
Kevin L. Humphreys | Madison, MS USA | 12/14/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Some things really do get better with age, and a prime example of this concept has to be the wild Texas howler, Delbert McClinton. I've probably seen the man in concert 15 times by now and he's quite easily the most electrifying live performer I've ever seen.Now, about this album. Just go buy it! As one reviewer said, Delbert doesn't really sing country (he's more of a roadhouse bluesman), although some of those flourishes find their way into his songs. OOTFF is, in my opinion, his best album ever, which is saying quite a lot. ("The Jealous Kind", now repacked as "Classics, Vol. I" and "Never Been Rocked Enough" are also exceptional.)"Old Weakness Coming On Strong" is an outstanding opening track, with great vocals and guitar work. My personal fave on the album is probably "Monkey Around", featuring the superlative slide guitar of Mr. Lee Roy Parnell and background vocals by Pam Tillis and Patty Loveless."Sending Me Angels" slows things down, with more great guitar by Lee Roy and some nice harmony vocals by Vince Gill. "Better Off With the Blues" is a great acoustic blues song that Delbert wrote (I think). BTW, Delbert wrote or cowrote almost all of the songs on the album. The last track, "Best of Me" closes the album on a high note, with some hoarse roadhouse vocals from the man and his characteristic very fine harmonica.The album hasn't been off my CD player since I bought it. I cannot recommend it highly enough!"
Great songs, unbelievable musicians
Frank E. Freeman | Arizona, United States | 12/05/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a fan of Delbert's for thirty years, and this is his very best, in my opinion. The samples listed above are only of the first 5 songs on the CD, which is a shame, because the LAST 5 are the one's I would showcase. The first 5 don't have a single bad cut among them, but the last ones are among the best he has ever released. The quality of the musicians he has helping him is amazing, and you can just hear in their work that they were having a great time doing this CD. Keltner on drums is simply unbelievable, even for him. On "Monkey Around" I still haven't decided if he is using a double pedal or just has the fastest feet in the world. "You Were Never Mine" is a great slow and simple ballad, "Best of Me" is classic Delbert and "Better Off With the Blues" is a great piece of acoustic blues with guitar work that must be heard on headphones to really be appreciated. Throughout, Delbert blows some of the best harp you will ever hear. Like the other reviewers, I agree there isn't even a so-so cut on the entire CD. I like the second half better, and have my player programmed to start with #6, but I love the entire album. If someone asked me to pick one CD to showcase Delbert's music, hell, one CD to show the range of the blues, this would be the one I would pick. I will know soon if you can wear a CD out by playing it too often."
Leap of Faith!
Todd Stockslager | Raleigh, NC | 01/26/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let me just say right up front that Delbert McClinton has the kind of voice that you would listen to him read from the phone book. And some artists with strong voices do just this (Ray Charles, take a hint), recording crappy material.Well not Delbert. I bought this tape as soon as it came out (I have been a fan of Delbert's for probably 20 years) and every song is strong. "Leap of Faith" just jumps out at me every time I hear it. I drive a convertible, and I'll bet people within a mile of my car have heard that song when I have the top down, the volume control pegged, and am singing along at the top of my lungs.I'd say it was the best song on the tape, and one of my alltime favorite songs, if it weren't for "Sending me Angels". I have yet to listen to that song without crying.Buy it and try it. Delbert's problem is finding a category on the air and in the store. He's not country, and not rock, so many people never hear him and can't find him if they're looking for him. If I owned a record store I'd categorize it under Texas blues-Rockabilly and put it right up at the front of the store!"