Delbert McClinton, 59, first gained fame locally as a member of the Straightjackets, a rough-and-tumble Fort Worth, Texas 1950s bar band. He later toured Europe in the early 1960s with Bruce Channel, and found himself at one point trading harmonica licks with John Lennon. These days he operates an annual "Sandy Beaches" Caribbean cruise with some of his favorite bands, friends and drinking and sunning partners.
This 18-track 56+ minute collection from the California based Hip-O Records spans the Lubbock, Texas native's recorded work through the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Close listening of the CD reveals the singer's musical influences from his younger years: Jimmy Reed, Sonny Boy Williamson I (John Lee Williamson) and Bobby "Blue" Bland.
Highlights include the #8 Pop hit in 1980 "Giving It Up For Love," "B-Movie Boxcar Blues (later covered by the Blues Brothers), "Two More Bottles of Wine" (later covered by Emmylou Harris), "Sandy Beaches" and "You Were Never Mine."
McClinton foresaw the infusion of country, blues and rock and his music holds up well today.
www.mcarecords.com/hipo
This review is copyright © 2000 by Matt Alcott, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.
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