Search - Lou Rawls :: For You My Love

ONE OF LOU'S FINEST WORKS OF JAZZ

Ken Castle | San Francisco | 05/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I picked up this CD in a second-hand store and it reawakened my appreciation for Lou's early material. What a discovery! The jazz/blues groove and Lou's voicings are superb, especially in the first seven tracks, which were scored by famous jazz composer/arranger Benny Carter. Both the title song, "For You My Love," and "If I Had My Life To Live Over," are exceptional, as is "Blues For the Weepers." Carter offers up a scaled-down big band that delightfuly complements the moods. The second seven tracks were arranged by the equally talented Benny Golson, and have more of an R&B feel with a slightly smaller group consisting of a half-dozen horns and rhythem section. The two sets were taken from two different albums, one recorded in 1964, the other in 1968. It is my view that all collectors of Lou's early, jazz-influenced material should have this CD, as well as Lou's classic "Soulin'" that made such an impact on me as a teenager, and his two 1963 big band albums, "Tobacco Road" and "Black and Blue." The last two were scored by Onzy Matthews, and I hope and pray that these albums in their entirely will be released soon on CD. Otherwise, we have to make do with a handful of tracks on compilations such as "Anthology.""