CD Review
Bobby Rush
Folk Funk
(Deep Rush Records DRD1001)
by Gordon Baxter
Review date: October 2004
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It has been a busy couple of years for Bobby Rush. Apart from featuring in the Martin Scorcese series, "The Blues," he has also been involved in the setting up of Deep Rush records. In its short life, the label has already released a Bobby Rush DVD ("Live At Ground Zero") and CD ("Undercover Lover"). Hot on their heels comes the latest offering, "Folk Funk," which started off in one direction (Alvin Youngblood Hart was recruited for his acoustic prowess) but ended up taking another once the band hooked up in the studio.
"Feeling Good - Part One" kicks things off in some style, with its "We're Gonna Boogie" groove. For this album, Rush stripped the band back to basics (harp, guitar, bass and drums) and everyone is in step right from the word go, with Rush himself sounding in the best of spirits. They keep things going through the funky "Uncle Esau" before being joined on "ninety-Nine" by Jesse Robinson (guitar), who led Rush's band when he decamped from Chicago to Jackson around 20 years ago.
Although renowned for his live shows and his prowess on harp, the psychedelic soul version of "Chicken Heads - Refried" shows that Rush also has a great voice, sounding uncannily like Al Green in places. The band then take it back to straighter blues territory for "Ride In My Automobile," which has a Jimmy Reed style opening, and tips a nod to "Too Many Drivers" as well. Before easing off the gas for a couple of tracks, the band squeeze in a funky interpretation of Percy Mayfield's "River's Invitation."
"Get Back" begins to step up the pace once more, and is guaranteed to get those feet tapping, before the jazz/gospel interlude of "Saints Gotta Move." Rush pulls together "When The Saints Go Marching In" and the gospel song "You Gotta Move" in a medley that works much better than it appears on paper, before the band take it home in style with "Feeling Good - Part Two" as Rush ad libs his way to the end.
The initial idea behind "FolkFunk" was to make a record that reflected the music that Rush grew up listening to. It ended up being much more than that, though, taking in a range of sounds and styles from the last 40+ years, whilst still managing to sound contemporary. The band line-up gels really well--the session lasted five hours--with Alvin Youngblood Hart slotting in perfectly on guitar. It may be a little different from what you would expect to hear if you went along to a Rush live show, but it is very entertaining nevertheless. And Bobby Rush probably would not want it any other way: live or on CD the man is a natural entertainer.
www.bobbyrush.net
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Copyright © 2004 Ray M. Stiles & Blues On Stage All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. Blues On Stage is a ® Trademark of Ray Stiles.
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