Search - Delbert Mcclinton :: Honky Tonk N Blues

Warning! For your own safety don't line dance to Delbert!

06/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm glad to see anyone getting hep to Delbert, and there's no doubt you can get a good sweat going dancing with The Man, but for God's sake don't go trying to line dance to this stuff. It'll lead to grief, probable gunplay and chalk outlines on the floor. You may think I'm fooling, but you haven't seen him perform, it's clear. What you're talking about doing is like ordering sugarfree koolaid at a wino bar, you just don't line dance in public to real honkytonk n' blues. We all know that there's Hat Acts galore these days, already watered down enough to be plenty safe for line dancing so why not have fun with those fellows. Delbert fans (in their 'uncrazed' state) want everyone to enjoy the music but y'all be safe, hear? This is the uncut stuff, and it ain't what you play to put Junior down for naptime, and it's not for line dancing. There's way too much soul, and heartache levels alone exceed government recommendations. Delbert, y'all making me rethink whether it's time for CD trigger locks. Oh the humanity."

A Couple Of Keepers & Not Much Else

jekyllnhyde | NJ | 01/29/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Poor songwriting, poor arrangements & a general lack of inspiration dominate this album. Only on a few occasions do we hear the kind of energetic bluesy R&B that we're used to expecting from Delbert. The leadoff track is a 70's-style country tune dominated by some fast pedal steel picking, & it just doesn't work. I've heard better versions of the next two tracks, Delbert's own "Two More Bottles of Wine" (check out Emmylou Harris's version instead), and "Before You Accuse Me" (try Eric Clapton's). Delbert is usually a master at interpreting a song, & these were unpleasant surprises. "Under Suspicion" is a pointless, repetitive song from start to finish with awful background vocals. "My Baby Comes to Me" is decent with it's rinky-dink piano. Still not Delbert's best, though. "Honky Tonkin'" is an improvement with Delbert's signature horns. Finally, out of nowhere, he hits full stride with the great "Lovey Dovey". Again, the track features great horns including a fantastic sax solo. Classic Delbert honky-tonk soul. The jump-blues followup, "It's Love Baby", just doesn't work for me. "Love Rustler" is a decent funky tune until the inane background vocals take over. "Lesson in the Pain of Love" & "Solid Gold Plated Fool" are among his best work, & "Pledging My Love" is a very good ballad. On the other hand, the ballad "Please, Please, Please" is ruined by more awful background vocals. Yet another ballad, "Special Love Song", is a tired ending to a so-so collection. Other than a few must-have tracks, this is lots of filler."