Marc Broussard: S.O.S.4: Blues For Your Soul Review
Philanthropic Lafayette, Louisiana R&B and Soul artist Marc Broussard recorded some hard rocking blues for his 4th S.O.S. (Save Our Soul) album. Each of the S.O.S. releases have been designated for specific charities beginning with the first album. Recipients like a homeless women’s and children’s shelter or funds for a children’s hospital were previous targets. This time a significant portion of the proceeds are for the “Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation” to support youth rehabilitation through music as well as “Guitars Over Guns,” based in Miami. The album will be released on Joe Bonamassa’s “KTBA (Keeping the Blues Alive) Records” and was co-produced by Joe along with Josh Smith. Four of the cuts feature Bonamassa’s stratospheric guitar playing which embellishes and amplifies the hard rocking blues sound.
The past three S.O.S. releases included R&B, gospel and Soul from the ’50s and ’60s along with children’s classics. This time Broussard is going into formerly unexplored territory as he embraces tunes reaching back to classic blues artists like Little Milton and Bobby Bland. It seemed like a natural thing to ask Bonamassa to be involved and he instinctively jumped at the opportunity. The album is the perfect showcase for Broussard’s powerful vocals belting out the blues using his “soulful, Bayou-bred baritone.” Bobby Blue Bland’s “I’ve Got to Use My Imagination” is the opening salvo and Broussard explained that after listening to Bland it was the first time that he was emotionally impacted by the blues. At the same time it is the first of four songs that Bonamassa is featured on with his incendiary guitar work.
“Such a sad, sad season
When a good love dies.”
Papa Freddie recorded “I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water” in 1926 but Johnnie Taylor re-recorded and released it in 1968 on his Who’s Making Love album. It was Taylor’s version that caught Broussard’s attention and earned a place on the album, which features Josh Smith on lead guitar. James Milton Campbell wrote and recorded “That’s What Love Can Make You Do” on the “STAX Record” label in 1971. It’s the second song to feature Bonamassa on guitar and Broussard’s soaring vocals mimicked Little Milton’s perfectly. “Cuttin’ In” by Johnny “Guitar” Watson was released in 1961and Broussard’s version is a masterpiece of inspiration. The story is basic dance floor 101 where someone else is dancing with your girl. The vocals are extraordinary and Roddy Romero’s guitar work compliments the tune perfectly.
“Now excuse me, buddy
I’m cuttin’ in on you.”
Cut number 5 is “Dreamer” which was the title song of Bobby “Blue” Bland’s 1974 album. The song leans in the soul direction more than the blues but Broussard was taken in by the “psychedelic vibe.” “Empire State Express” was originally written and performed by Edward James House Jr., better known as Son House. Broussard’s version is electrified dissonance compared to the original acoustic version which pushes the envelope to the breaking point. “Love the Time is Now” is from Bobby Womack’s 1969 album Fly Me To the Moon. The song is a reflection of that time period both culturally and spiritually with Broussard’s baritone voice hitting all the high notes perfectly.
“Love, the time is now, yeah
Freedom for all”
JJ Grey is featured on slide guitar for “I Asked For Water,” originally performed by Howlin’ Wolf (Chester Arthur Burnett), who reworked Tommy Johnson’s 1929 “Cool Drink of Water Blues.” It has a disturbing plodding melody accentuated by the howling voice and harmonica perfectly complimenting the equally distressing lyrics. “I Like To Live the Love” is an obscure song from B. B. King’s catalogue that leans more in the direction of soul than blues and features Eric Krasno on guitar. “Locked Up In Jail (Prison Blues)” was originally written and performed by “King of the Boogie” John Lee Hooker. It features Josh Smith on guitar accompanying Broussard’s cadenced vocals.
“Driving Wheel” is a 12 bar blues originally written and recorded by Roosevelt Sykes in 1936 as “The Honey Dripper” and was later re-recorded by Junior Parker and Al Green. It features Joe Bonamassa on guitar and stretches Broussard’s voice in his wailing interpretation. Even though the S.O.S. series is comprised of covers, each album contains one original song. “When Will I Let Her Go” was co-written by Broussard with Josh Smith and Calvin Turner and is the fourth cut to feature Joe Bonamassa’s stellar guitar. The cut uses an orchestra so the horns play an important part along with a driving drum beat.
From beginning to end the album is totally enjoyable to listen to and takes the listener back to the 1960s with voice intonations reminiscent of singers from Sam Cooke to Al Green. The album has something for everyone with both stellar vocal performances and searing blues rock guitar solos by multiple axemen, Bonamassa, Krasno, Romero and Smith. When a great singer surrounds themselves with great musicians the result is a great album which is what S.O.S.4: Blues For Your Soul is.
The Review 9/10
– I’ve Got to Use My Imagination
– Cuttin’ In
– Dreamer
– I Asked For Water
– Locked Up In Jail (Prison Blues)
The Big Hit
– I Asked For Water
Buy the album: Amazon
WOWSA! Just checked out a couple of tunes on Spot, and I am through the roof. The pairing of Joey B with Marc Broussard is Einstein-Smart. Both have many kilos of style and subtance which drive the music sky-high. Thanks for the introduction to S.O.S.4: Blues For Your Soul.