The latest soulful blues and jazz release from Richard Wilson once again covers a wide array of musical styles that defies one particular music genre.
He’s an artist who plays his own compositions exclusively-that is interested more in the authentic vibe of the tunes and stretching out- rather than following the current market trends.
There’s stripped down 50’s gospel stomp with jazz piano curtesy of Memphis keyboard ace Al Gamble on the opener “Ready For Love”.
The next track “Someone Is Waiting” has a smooth 60’s bossanova feel with the sweet harmony vocals of Katrina Anderson -of Memphis Stax Soul legends Bar Kays fame.
(Pictured : Katrina Anderson and Richard Wilson)
“Fool For Love You” is a lilting 3/4 waltz feel reflecting on lost love.
It has an emotive vocal melody and well chosen jazz guitar voicings with a steady bass line, that result in a full sounding track.
There is nod to a Wilson influence: Julie London’s classic “Cry Me A River” -with the track being drenched in echo on the fade out.
In fact this is the secret sauce of Richard Wilson - stripping the songs down to the core with simple guitar and vocal accompaniment - so the album reflects his live sound.
So often you can buy an artists album that is so over produced or has so many extra players and overdubs - it does not reflect the simplicity and authentic sound of the live solo performer.
The album was recorded at the world famous Sam Phillips Recording in Memphis,TN.
(Pictured L to R : Scott Bomar , Richard Wilson , Justin Walker)
Subtle production values abound and the songs are wonderfully recorded by Scott Bomar - renowned recording engineer, musician and film composer (Hustle and Flow , Black Snake Moan etc)
Sam Phillips Recording was built in 1960 and has remained basically unchanged ever since.
This adds to the rich sonic depth of the recording - the walk in echo chamber just exudes richness -especially on vocals - that is impossible to replicate from a digital plug-in or external effects unit.
They may get close - but nothing will sound like the reverb and echo tails that evoke classic 60’s recordings from a real echo chamber.
The vocal mic was a 60’s Neumann U67 and the analog Spectra Sonics board was the Stax console in the late 60’s and early 70’s - that recorded Isaac Hayes and Albert King classics amongst others.
This was an important consideration for choosing where to record as Wilson’s style is vocal led and rooted in the classic 60’s vocal sounds of his influences (eg. Nat King Cole,Dean Martin,Perry Como, Bobby Darin and Sergio Mendes etc).
The album moves along and the catchiness of the tunes abound - especially on “Whisper In Your Ear” a 60’s rhythm and blues sounding track.
Al Gamble’s electric piano and tasty bluesy licks evoke Spooner Oldham at Muscle Shoals - together with the smooth vocals and Justin Walker’s laid back groove - the track is retro , but new all at the same time.
The title track “You Can Have It All” has a film soundtrack aesthetic - the orchestral strings underpin the reflective vocal, that shines with the aforementioned Phillips echo chamber.
(Pictured L to R : Al Gamble and Richard Wilson)
The subject matter of all the songs reflects real life.
Wilson has said his albums are like “vignettes of life” that are put to music.
That is the case here - there’s songs of reflection and ambition, that will resonate in everyone’s life.
This is Wilson’s twentieth album and as he recounts :
“There were so many songs for these sessions, there will be another album released later in the year!”
Catch him playing live every week in Memphis and the upcoming album listening event at Memphis Listening Lab.
Further info here:
https://richardwilsonmusic.com/