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JACKIE
PAYNE STEVE EDMONSON BAND "MASTER OF
THE GAME"
Source: Newman University
Date: 10/2006
Writer: B. Lee Cooper |
The
powerful gumbo of late ‘60s and early ‘70s
soul music was a spicy mixture of sharply punctuated
R & B rhythms, emotion-laden gospel vocalizing,
and feisty lyrical themes emphasizing physical
admiration, sexuality, and calls for mutual respect.
Jackie Payne delivers authentic soul vocals with
the intensity of Wilson Pickett, the power of
Sam and Dave, the sensitivity of James Carr, the
deep feeling of Otis Redding, and the mischievous
cunning of Joe Tex. Payne’s musical roots
are deep. They extend from T-Bone Walker, Gatemouth
Brown, and Lowell Fulson, through the Stax-Volt-Malaco-Atlantic
soul decades, to a long-term involvement with
magnificent Westcoast bandleader/arranger/R &
B guru Johnny Otis. Delta Groove executives have
created a heavenly match. The broadly experienced
Payne is united with stellar axeman Steve Edmonson
and his tight and terrific rhythm masters. The
superb horn arrangements and the solid drumming
of Nick Otis echo the studio magic of Memphis
and Muscle Shoals.
Of the 13 songs presented, the 10 original numbers
sparkle far more than the covers of Bobby Blue
Bland and Johnny Taylor. Payne salutes a voodoo
queen from Cajun land in “Mean Evil Woman”;
he lauds two very sexy ladies in “The
Real Deal” and “Sweet Landlady”;
and he anticipates a special relationship with
a lovely lady in Oakland in “Wake Me Up
In San Francisco.” The title track is
a blues ‘n’ soul lament to a self-proclaimed
fool. The drummer gets his licks in on “Woman
In Kansas City,” but Payne still dominates
with vocal authority drawn from years of microphone
manipulation.
This superb disc is not merely retro soul. It
plots a vibrant new path for a wonderful old
musical form. Jackie Payne and Steve Edmonson
are masterful soul song composers; saxman Carl
Green understands the value of hard-hitting
horn arrangements; and bassist Bill Singletary
knows how to bottom out soulful efforts. This
is a fine release. |
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