On the virtue of rough edges
W. Luck | 01/20/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Important to remember: music needn't be perfectly crafted to be utterly enjoyable. Frenetic one-takes, from The Kingsmen's "Louie Louie" to The Beatles' version of "Twist and Shout," are among the most canonical Rock 'n' Roll songs, for example. But the one-take has less auspicious, yet equally rewarding, results as well. To say nothing about the 50-plus years of Blues, Jazz, and Gospel that preceeded it, a large share of late 60s and early 70s small-label/self-released Soul and Funk music was often recorded in one or two takes. Darondo Pulliam's work on this album is indicative of this early-70s DIY Soul ethos; the music was meant to be recorded and distributed for common folks to enjoy (and not for the scrutinization of audiophiles). With all of that to keep in mind (meaning: not that it's all an apologia for a substandard album), this is a great humanistic stuff in a tidy package. The strings, guitar, and vocals on these tracks, along with a few latter-day overdubs, are pleasantly loose, and although Darondo's voice is more than a bit evocative of his high-pitched contemporaries (heavyweights like Al Green or Ronald Isley), it doesn't sound a bit apish or forced. People: It's refreshing to hear a post-breakup sentiment like "Didn't I do the best I could / Didn't I treat you right?" uttered 30-odd years ago and resounding with big, glorious honesty out of an album released less than a week ago. This is guileless, irony-free stuff that hits like a ton-o-bricks. If this is any indication, 2006 is off to a great start, music-wise."
Why'd it take so long
C. W. Hall | Atlanta, GA USA | 01/25/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"There are some old funk and soul records that are revered because they're rare. Collectors have too often made the music secondary in their pursuit of the little known and obscure. All those same collectors have been chasing after Darondo for years now. The difference is that Darondo thoroughly deserves to be chased.
The music on Let My People Go can stand proudly next to virtually any of Darondo's creative contemporaries. In fact, the music on this reissue makes a good argument that, had he not abruptly disappeared, Darondo wouldn't be obscure at all. Quite frankly, this is some of the best music available from what is generally regarded as a very impressive musical era.
The underlying feel is of a larger than life personality tempered with a strong blues sensibility. Building on that foundation by wonderfully incorporating elements of funk and soul, Let My People Go presents timeless music.
There are incredible blues-driven tunes in the form of the title track and "How I Got Over." By adding a touch of funk and some punctuating horns, "Legs" and "My Momma & Poppa" are able to conjure the feel of classic James Brown records. "Didn't I" is so addictingly catchy that my 5-year-old son was humming the melody for days after hearing it just once.
My only regret in listening to this record is that it took so long for someone to find Darondo and get this music back to the public."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1