John Ward's name appears so often on Barbara Carr's latest, "What a Woman Wants," that maybe this should have been titled "Barbara Carr featuring John Ward." Besides producing, engineering and mixing the CD Ward had time to play all rhythm and lead guitar tracks. Tony Black provides additional keyboards. William Brown, Bertram Brown and E. Nelson join the session on background vocals.
Ecko is widely known in the industry for releasing fine soul-inspired and laced albums and "What a Woman Wants" continues this cherished tradition. Every once in a while, it is good for males to listen to the female perspective of reality and this is a good CD for just that. Cuts like "A Woman Always Gets Her Way," "Got My Name On Your Thang," "Your Kind of Lovin' Ain't Good Enough," "Let a Real Woman Try," "Good Woman Go Bad" and others reveal that Carr has-indeed "been" with her share of disappointing men.
More female humor returns on the hilarious (which also contains a fine guitar solo from Ward) "That Old Booty Green," which finds Carr singing: "The men will all lose control when they see you shake that booty thang.... just get out on the dance floor and pump it fast and slow, the men will lose control...." Carr does cut males some slack, which, however, contradicts much of the CD's previous message concerning the male sex, on the closing "The Man Knows How to Love," which finds her relating that things will be OK, once her and her man get off to and in bed.
This is another fine production from those soul-loving folks in Memphis.
http://www.eckorecords.com
5242 Helene Cove, Memphis, Tenn., 38117, (901) 761-7197
This review is copyright © 2000 by Matt Alcott, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.