Search - Danny Brooks :: Liquidface (Soulsville: Souled Out 'N Sanctified)

Rockin' your soul from Canada to Memphis!

Mitchell Lopate | Silverdale, WA | 11/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You recognize it when it comes through the speakers: it's another musician who has their own version of The Voice. The Voice: that special mix of power, rhythm and blues, heartfelt truth, and majesty. It's a southern thing mostly-a blend of a soul food diet (Gregg Allman), a childhood in the Arkansas Delta (Levon Helm), knowing the Creator as guidance (Solomon Burke), or being born to play the blues (Bobby Whitlock).

It's a voice that growls with a passion, rumbles from deep in the belly like a tiger's purr, and scrapes against the vocal cords like it was gravel going down a chute. And Lord have mercy, You know the children who bring it to fulfillment. They're out there making His music-and one of them is Danny Brooks.



Some strong conviction, people: He sings, "I wasn't born down in Memphis, but Memphis lives in my soul." You can fill your plate with that and never go hungry again, because Danny is every inch and pound a man of "Soulsville" hospitality. Who wrote this song: Johnny Cash? Too soon did we lose you, John-you'd have loved this one. The same chugging pressure is there. Give a listen to Brooks and the Revelators and you'll be yearning for warm Tennessee nights on the back porch with a dobro, sweet tea, black-eyed peas, cornbread and gravy, and gospel breakfast meetings. You've been Souled Out `n Sanctified. But keep an eye on your map coordinates: Danny's from Ontario. A Canadian with the earthiest feel for the Word and the good folks down yonder.



Don't ask why-it's one of those mysteries in life, and "Nobody Knows You Like the Lord." Nominated for an award this year, Danny bares his spiritual strength in simple terms-and with beautiful support from friends from the NorthernBlues Gospel All-Stars in this slow, steady song of praise. Just the basics of what you'd expect to find in a good Southern church on Sunday-but that gritty tension from Danny's voice just keeps your hands raised a little higher. And that's the beauty of what follows: "Fence Me In" is a prayer of dedication to lead a life of service and honesty. Let the tempo move a bit ("Glory Hallelujah") and listen to the clapping in your ears alongside Richard Bell's saintly organ-this is testimony of the highest kind. And if you just want to wiggle a bit in your seat for joy but show respect (while trying to follow the preacher's words), Colin Linden's mandolin will hear those thoughts to "Lift Me Up." Dennis Pinhorn's upright bass adds the warmest assurance needed-an electric 4-string would never have made it this sweet.



Young and old, brothers and sisters, we're "Soul Satisfied," and that's why it's okay to follow the urge to whistle the melody. If your chest is swelling with happiness and love is in your heart, this is a chance to offer praise alongside Danny and friends and feel terrific. If the Spirit moves you, then let it groove you, and "Standing On the Rock" is the best place to be seen. Don't stop counting the remaining songs-you'll fill your satchel with riches each time you reach out and touch them. Finally! when it's all said and done, you're "Souled Out `n Sanctified." And the satisfaction that washes throughout is from a well that has no bottom. Just let a Messenger with the Voice, Mr. Danny Brooks, sing it to you."