Doyle Bramhall II: Rich Man Review
Rich Man is the fourth studio album from Doyle Bramhall II and his first since 2001. The album kicks off with “Mama Can’t Help You,” which sounds like Bramhall bit off a big piece of Bubble Gum Funk. The funk keeps right on rolling into “November” and “The Veil.”
“My People” however brings on a sudden mood change with the sound of Jackie Brown meets Cleopatra, which pops back up again with “Saharan Crossing” and a bit in “The Samanas,” which together sound like someone squeezed the Taj Mahal into a Juke Joint, and at close to ten minutes “The Samanas” is almost as expansive. The influence of Bramhall’s recent trips to India and Africa following the death of his father in 2011 is very evident, and the songs add some deep soul to an otherwise upbeat and funky album.
The album as a whole does a great job of expressing both Bramhall’s roots, which are deep and strong in the blues and rock tradition, but also showcasing the flowers of the new growth, from recent travels and life experiences. Rich Man is a can’t miss expansion of Bramhall’s amazing talent.
The Review 8.5/10
Can’t Miss Tracks
– Mama Can’t Help You
– November
– Hands Up
– Rich Man
– Hear My Train a Comin’
The Big Hit
– Mama Can’t Help You
Review by Jeremy Schantz
Buy the album: Amazon
