| The CD opens with the title track. A fairly straightforward
Uptown Blues number featuring a tight horn section and Uptown Girls type back-up vocals. I
was pleasantly surprised by the familiar wail of Mark Wenner throughout the CD. Mark is
one of my favorite harmonica players, and is a large part of why I really enjoy the
Nighthawks. A mention of recording quality is due here. This entire recording is crystal
sparkling clean. Every instrument is carefully balanced in the mix. This recording is of
the quality you would expect to get out of a top-notch studio. Yet there is no mention in
the credits of who did this wonderful work. Inquiring minds want to know.
I was impressed with each of the songs for different reasons, and thought each one
showed a great example of soul and conviction. All of it is original material based on
standard forms, sparse arrangements, and tight instrumentation. "Big Daddy" has
a wide pallet of styles to choose from. All of which are well balanced, and sonically
correct.
Charles "Big Daddy" Stallings has a great musical vision, and seems to know
exactly what he wants from his band, and they seem to deliver the perfect response to his
call on every track. Make sure to add this one to your collection soon. Highlights from
the CD are the tunes "Swing," "4x4 Woman," gospel gem "Thank You,
Jesus," the cool and jazzy "Sophisticated," and "B-3 Blues." But
let it be known that after listening to this CD, everybody's gonna love the country life
on the "Funky Farm"! |
