Oliver Morgan
I'M HOME
NYNO - 9611
available on amazon
Shocking to learn this is Oliver "WHO SHOT THE LA LA" Morgan's first album! He is one of those voices that you never forget, that raspy sandpaper growl, that exudes 'Soul' in giant capital letters, pouring 'Soul' out of every little sound he makes. He was around with Otis Redding, Joe Tex, Fats Domino and all those wonderful soul singers that were surrounded by the funky rhythm and blues of growing up in and around the South and particularly New Orleans. He also pays a kind tribute to many of those he graced the stage with. I'll stop here and tell you why this fantastic disc is 7 instead of 9 stars. I think a running time of 33:21, is absurd in this day and age. Oliver Morgan has you up and dancing, bobbing your head, body moving to the groove from the first notes, and 33 minutes is not enough. Also, as this is his first real disc, there is no reason I can think of not to include "WHO SHOT THE LA LA"! If you have ever seen this man sing you know that he puts his heart and soul into not only every song, not only every word, but every little sound that comes from him. He is known for his fantastic second line jazz parades and you know (if you don't know, you'd better hurry your butt down to NOLA and get to experience one) that they are known for stretching a song and giving each of the players plenty of time to show off their licks. That could have been done here easily with this funky rocking band he has to back him. There isn't a weak song on this disc. Each one gives Oliver a chance to show off licks (the band has room too) but it is really when he goes off the charts and starts that parade with his infamous umbrella that he takes over the song and truly makes it his own. I just realized I was grousing about what I think could have been on this disc, while telling you how fantastic it is. Something strange there, but for now if you want to hear some of the true funky rhythm and blues that is in short supply now go, no, dash out and get this one. It is the next best thing to being in NOLA at Jazz Fest Time.
Songs, times, and writers
1 IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU - 3:07 - Allen Toussaint
2 I GOTCHA - 2:44 - Joe Tex
3 HONEY, I'M HONE - 3:22 - Allen Toussaint
4 WE ALL LIKE OUR OWN KIND - 3:06 - Allen Toussaint
5 THAT'S WHAT MY HEART NEEDS - 3:40 - Otis Redding
6 BE GOOD TO YOU - 3:20 - Dave Bartholomew/Chris Kenner
7 YA YA - 3:05 - Clarence Lewis/Bobby Robinson/Lee Dorsey
8 I LOVE RHYTHM AND BLUES - 3:11 - Larry Hamilton
9 I'M BUSY - 3:14 - Allen Toussaint
10 IN THE POCKET - 4:03 - Allen Toussaint/Oliver Morgan
Players
Oliver Morgan - lead vocal, tambourine on IN THE POCKET
Allen Toussaint - piano, organ, synthesizer
Scott Godreau - guitar
Charles Moore - bass
Bernard "Bunchy" Johnson - drums
Tracy Griffin - trumpet
Craig Klein - trombone
Brian "Breeze" Cayolle - tenor sax
Cindy Mayes - baritone sax
Sean Tauzier - guitar solo on BE GOOD TO YOU, synthesizer on YA YA
Produced by - Allen Toussaint