CD Review
Mitchell Lopate | Silverdale, WA | 01/15/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"BW's a friend--so this is from the heart.Give it up and welcome back a star scholar of musical chops: Bobby Whitlock. Showing off all his vocal and instrumental talents, "It's About Time" has the depth of experience and access of interest to please folks from all ages. This package comes from a man who is blessed with a voice that richly carries a rainbow of intensive expression and ideas that cut across generations. Best of all, the always-soulful "Bobby Dubs" wears his heart on his sleeve throughout every song in this tasty collection of new and old material.Bobby has always been known as a magician on a Hammond B-3, a sparkplug on piano, and a rocker and R&B specialist with grit and gospel in his blood and songs. The years have been good to him: he has gained a depth of passion and maturity to his singing-a sense of rich warmth and strength that only can be achieved as a gift earned through hard work and Time's patience. Even better, Bobby showcases two marvelous assets: his slide guitar, and his friendship and collaboration with two instrumental wizards: Steve Cropper on guitar and the appropriately-named Jim Horn on saxophones. Credit should also be given to the late Duane Allman for the wisdom to show this good friend the technique and merits of a bottleneck-and Bobby has obviously been practicing Skydog's recommendations."There She Goes" would easily pass as a ballad for a lost, departing sweetheart, but Bobby throws us something extra with this wistful lament: it's not about a broken love affair--it's about his daughter's journey to find truth and meaning in her life. Bobby literally leaves us in the doorway of parenthood memories as he watches his now-grown child embark on her search. A lush string arrangement by producer Paddy Prendergast frames a thick carpet of B-3 and piano refrain, and the slow pace captures Whitlock's distress and pleading.Bobby snaps back on track two with an old favorite from his Layla days: "Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad," but this time, Bobby has a chance to take the reins where Eric Clapton once held court. Cranked along by Darryl Johnson's bass and Horn's saxophone lineup, Bobby swoops and wails new life and energy into this piece. The title song makes it clear why this man's writing skills have been in demand by a collage of fellow musicians, as Bobby heralds a rallying cry for the world to account for a global reckoning of brother-and-sisterhood. This is followed by "Wing & A Prayer," clearly displaying Bobby's contemplative moments and spiritual growth that comes from listening and participating for hours in gospel church services. Jim Horn, on tenor sax, confidently stands beside his friendThere's a tiger by the tail when Bobby picks up a slide (he uses a 5/8 or 11/16 socket when possible), and the lady who inspired "Sold Me Down the River" surely must have realized that this man can bare his claws. This has the texture and substance of pure Bonnie Raitt aggressiveness, and Ashley Whitlock's sassy backup chorus vocal does her daddy justice. Jim Horn's soprano sax kicks off "It's Only Midnite" with a poet's voice, and Bobby's piano and gutsy, gritty vocals chase after his buddy like two colts on a romp. Bobby brings out his favorite six and 12-string acoustic guitars on "Standin' in the Rain," reminding us why Tom Dowd wisely selected "Thorn Tree" as the last cut for Layla. Drummer Brady Blade and Jim Horn take turns cooking like popcorn in a microwave on "Born to Sing the Blues," and Bobby's Memphis days are boogied to a golden brown. Of all the apropos statements this man has ever crafted, he was and is, indeed, able to claim this as a personal and righteous honor.Whitlock's voice paints a gorgeous pastel arrangement for his (now-ex) on "High On You," and Jim Horn again comes in as best man at this renewal of vows. Love definitely keeps the fireplace warm and glowing in the Whitlock household. Subtle, muted guitar by "Colonel" Cropper adds to the sincere arrangement. "Bell Bottom Blues" was Eric's need to display his angst over Patti Harrison thirty years ago, but Bobby has showcased his keyboards and Leslie amps to properly reveal that an older man can still grieve. Beau Whitlock remarkably haunts the background vocals with a voice that could only have come from his father's pipes-the younger man is now capably filling the notes his father sang on the original. "Ghost Driver" (and the inside-liner photo of Bobby's trashed Ferarri Daytona) clearly displays the thrill-seeking rocker that runs through his veins (at least, until he traded in his last fast car for the slow-and-easy Cadillac). Barry Swain's guitar bursts and Horn's sax chants serve as the pace car on this speedway course, followed closely by the always-dangerous B-3 and Bobby's wind-whipped stormy vocals. Everyone in the studio comes back for a celebratory hug and reunion at the end for "I Love You," and Bobby and Buddy Miller laugh and dance on an electric mandoline and 12-string exchange between vocals. It's a perfect, cheery way to wrap up a wonderful gathering of happy, caring artists who love their work and are glad to show it. Jim Horn plays the court jester with sax squeals, Beau adds in an acoustic finale, and it's time to make sure the "continuous play" button is engaged on the CD player.This release is a perfect gift for anyone who needs that "hard-to-please" present for the friend or loved one in their life, as well as a riverbed of golden nuggets for the coffeehouse and cover musicians who want to flex their muscle and show some quiet strength at the same time. Get the tool box out and ready when Bobby comes to visit-he's expecting that socket to be available for some good music. Better yet, hop, skip or bounce on down the road to grab this item: as Bobby would say, "It's about time" you had some Whitlock in your life!"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1