Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel
“Lovers”
Monney Productions/
If you thought Bobby Whitlock had soul in the halcyon days of the mega-classic album “Layla,” when he played the “yin” to Eric Clapton and Duane Allman’s twin guitar “yang” to complete their music’s essence and depth, just listen to this terrific new release, and it’s vitally obvious that the multi-talented songwriter, player and performer is just as strong and essential, vocally and musically, as he’s ever been.
Ironically, just as he was in those early days, Whitlock’s got his own similarly talented, secret weapon, just as he was for “Slowhand” and “Skydog,” and, judging by the sound of “Lovers,” it remains crucial to his latest sound. That’s the voice, arrangements and playing (sax, bass and flutes) of the amazing Coco Carmel, who, like on the duo’s last release, “Other Assorted Love Songs,” provides the perfect addition to the mix. In their much more than capable hands, this makes “Lovers” an exquisite duet, recalling so many of the classic sounds that are so sadly gone missing in today’s contemporary music.
Roaring out of the gate like a latter day Delaney & Bonnie (with whom Whitlock also played), sprinkled with a dash of Ike & Tina, the soulful and soul-laden Whitlock and Carmel have constructed another gem of a record, perhaps even more rocky and rootsier than “Assorted Love Songs,” which was great on its own.
Here, just listen to the title track, “Dice of God,” ‘Power of Love,” “You Don’t Know,” and just about all the others to hear a hint of the best of American soul music, with more than a dash of the great rock ‘n’ roll spirit and voice that Whitlock brought as the absolute cutting edge of the ill-fated Derek & The Dominos, all augmented by Carmel’s steady and skillful flourishes to the mix. The album even concludes with a great nod to the past, with a slowed down, soulful duet remake of “Layla,” similar to some of the reworked classics the duo put into their last release.
Add to that a stellar musical cast, that, in addition to the multi-faceted Carmel, includes guitarists Stephen Bruton, Eric Johnson and David Grissom, along with a guest turn on two tracks by the likewise incomparable Willie Nelson, and, man, does this record literally drip with talent.
You say that you’re missing authentic rock and soul music? Put an order in for “Lovers,” and remember just how perfect, in the right hands, this music can sound.
- Mark T. Gould
****1/2