These are the true roots of
Davell Crawford, and they shine with the promise of even better things to come than
Born with the Funk. This disc is based on the gospel sound he grew up with; the gospel experience with all the best that the blues and rhythm & blues added to it, as this sound of celebration and joy spread from "the word" to include the secular world. He comes from that hot bed of keyboard players and this style of music, New Orleans. Whether he wishes it or not, he is going to be compared to those icons of the city that came before him and set standards,
Professor Longhair,
James Booker,
Dr. John, and
Henry Butler to name but a few of his predecessors. Try and remember that this talent was only 24 years old at the time of this recording, and he is just beginning to show us what he is capable of doing. There is not a weak cut on this disc, which includes tunes such as "Georgia on My Mind" (brave to take on this tune but he more than pulls it off), by
Hoagy Carmichael/Stuart Gorrell, and "Help Me Make It Through the Night" (
Kris Kristofferson), among others, and seven that he penned. Several of those are destined to become classics, such as "Going Back Home to New Orleans," and the very beautiful, yet bittersweet "Goodnight My Love." This disc is brimming with the energy of
Crawford's dynamic talent, which he has surrounded with a crack group of players to help him shine. Most importantly, they're a fine a group of background vocalists. This disc is filled with that fine soul that comes from the city that is known for its soul and rhythm.
Crawford is a prodigious talent on the upswing. Be ready to have your world expanded when you put this one on. ~ Bob Gottlieb