 | CARL WEATHERSBY “Best Of Carl Weathersby” Evidence Music, 2003 (ECD 26127-2) |
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Jackson, Mississippi born Carl Weathersby was raised in East Chicago, Indiana. He has spent time working as a prison guard, policeman, and steelworker. That will explain why the 15 untraditional songs on this collection, by the Vietnam veteran, encompass many styles of the blues. For 70 cascading minutes, listeners are exposed to his easily identifiable string plucking and the full spectrum of his invigorating music. These assertive tracks were recorded between 1995 and 1999. All were produced by John Snyder and all appeared on Carl’s four previous Evidence releases. Common themes contained within the songs include: suspicious love, bad friends, real love, broken relationships, addiction, good love gone bad, and the strength of music. Carl’s triple attack of torrid, rapid-fire guitarist; deep and assured vocalist; and versatile songwriter are the disc’s greatest assets. He exercises pedals and pushes them to the limit on the pop-flavored “Do You Call That A Buddy”. “Sweet Music” is as relaxed as a summer breeze. The lyrics here: ‘glad I found music …’, reveal the essence of Carl Weathersby. At times, he add horns to soften his hard-edged sound. Catch a glimpse of his soulful vein on “Feels Like Rain”. “Come To Papa” is the funkiest in contemporary blues. It combines Carl with Lucky Peterson, Rico McFarland and soul-era originals Ann Peebles and the Memphis Horns. The funk continues on Rico’s “It’s You That I Want”. This deep groove is sleek and sheik. Definitely a tune to play at dance clubs as is “My Baby”. “Don’t Lay Your Blues On Me” is hard, in-your-face blues with so much impact, you will never forget Carl’s name. The wrenching track has a repetitive rhythm like a jackhammer that pounds and drills its way into your very foundation. As it does, you’ll experience awe and a musical wonder. The emotions come pouring out of him on a select few songs. “Restless Feeling” is a slow blues but has enough kick so it does not bore or drag. Here, David Torkanowsky’s organ is haunting and thundering while Carl plays a sweet guitar solo. His guitar feels and expresses an aching on “Somebody Help Me” where the song’s character desperately reaches out and begs for assistance with drug addiction. This composition is real blues incarnate and captures Weathersby at his best. “Your Love Is Everything” is a loving, pop-blues song of thanks with words such as: ‘need your love like a flower needs sunshine.’ “Stop Breakin’ Down Blues” is acoustic and was taken from Telarc’s Robert Johnson tribute. Weathersby is a former rhythm guitarist for Albert King and co-lead Chicago’s Sons of Blues for 14 years before going solo. Are these cuts the best he has to offer? Most hard-core fans would respond that the best is yet to come. These tunes were selected with a sole purpose of attracting new fans. Existing fans may have come up with a different crop of numbers. This has been the longest period between releases for Carl Weathersby. The bad news is die-hard fans will have to wait even longer for new material. The good news is his visionary tunes, full of angst guitar playing and firm singing will surely turn on the unacquainted to this majestic, modern master. |