Search - Solomon Burke :: Homeland

Where Color Should Not Divide

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 07/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This blast from the past by Solomon Burke appeared on Frank Zappa's Bizarre/Straight Records label and is issued by Rhino. The sound levels are mixed in that early 90s mode that makes it drop out a bit compared to newer CDs whose sound levels are louder. However, musically, Burke was hot here. The opener "Baby Please Don't Cry" has some classic aching soul with Burke's velvet voice, "Girl I told you that I didn't mean to make you cry & that I didn't know the reason why & I told you that I wasn't going to hurt you no more; so baby please don't cry." "Try A Little Tenderness" is one of those songs with numerous interpretations from Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra & Michael Buble to soul greats Aretha Franklin & Otis Redding to Three Dog Night. In Solomon's Burke's hands he works the melody into a pumping rave that builds joyfully. "Make It Up to You" has a real sweet lighthearted groove. The title track is a rousing anthem that asks for racial tolerance, "This is my home land where color should not divide." "I'll Be There" penned by Earl Thomas cuts a classic soul groove with Burke swearing steadfast loyalty to a lost lover. "Love Ain't No Easy Place to Be" is another brilliant soul groove. "You're Gonna Love Me" hits a throbbing bass line with Burke hitting the uptempo groove on this flashy soul stirrer. The set closer "What I've Got to Do" is another midtempo charmer, "I know you belong to someone else, Oh, but I want you for myself." "Homeland" is an excellent set from 1991 that still sounds fresh like great classic soul. Enjoy!"