This CD is a release of old material. It is a double bill: six numbers by Bobby Rush followed by half a dozen songs from Lynn White. The former contains previously unreleased tracks whilst the latter was only available on vinyl. The two sessions are linked through both being recorded at Willie Mitchell's Royal Studio in Memphis.
Lynn White's offering, presumably of a similar vintage, is more varied than the Rush cuts. Her voice is subtle and understated. The track you come away humming is Earl Randle's catchy slow soul ballad "Any Way The Wind Blows." Equally satisfying is the slow blues written by then husband Ike Darby 'I Don't Ever Want To See Your Face Again', with some tasty angular acoustic piano from Willie Mitchell. A second blues, driven by slide guitar, is the keyboard player Billy Always' "Down On Me." The remaining three tracks are all up-tempo soul: "Get Your Lie Straight," "Down The Line" (dig that cowbell!) and "Take Your Time."
The packaging is amusing, with a miniature cannonball in the case, and the CD disguised as a vinyl platter sitting on a record deck.
For Bobby Rush aficionados, this is for completists only; for Lynn White fans, a valuable opportunity to replace that worn out vinyl. Newcomers are advised to spend their pennies on tickets to see them live.
Web: www.canball.com
E-mail: cblrecords@aol.com
Mail order: 1-877-CAN-BALL (226-2255)
Cannonball Records, 1660 Lake Drive West, Chanhassen, MN 55317
This review is copyright © 1999 by Ricky Willis, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.
