Bob Powers

MARIETTA, OH, USA - If you're the sort of reader who doesn't care for details in reviews of new CDs, just the final decision, I'll make it easy for you. Run, don't walk, to your nearest dealer and demand a copy of Delbert McClinton's new album, "Room to Breathe" (New West Records).

McClinton, who's been in the music business almost as long as I've been writing about it, won a much-deserved Grammy last year with his wonderful release called "Nothing Personal." That album continues to chart in the music journal Billboard and this new one should climb rapidly in any of several categories, including blues, jazz, folk and country. It's rare that an artist can dip his toes into multiple categories while not offending at least some of his fans. McClinton gets away with his crisscrossing because he's simply one of the best musicians working today.

With "Room to Breathe" McClinton turns loose with a dozen outstanding songs (not a bummer in the basket), written in collaboration with an array of friends, including partner Gary Nicholson, Benmont Tench, Al Anderson, Tom Faulkner, Billy Lawson and Fred Knobloch. The result is a dozen songs that carry the usual good humor that's become a requisite for McClinton. There are a couple of heartbreakers as well, but you almost can see the twinkle in McClinton's eyes as he sings in that familiar, barroom sound, as distinctive in voice as you can imagine.

The album opens with an up-tempo love song, in which McClinton pours out his heart to his loved one, saying the reason she's the one is because "She's the 'Same Kind of Crazy' as me." It's a wonderful song.

McClinton sizzles on every track, no matter the message. There are three songs with the word "blues" in their titles, but there's nothing to make the listener feel down and depressed. I particularly liked "Everything I Know About the Blues (I learned from you)".

A tribute to the state of Texas has a bouncy beat that compels the listener to pat his moccasins in time to the infectious beat. The backing singers, a large group of Delbert's fellow musicians (all from Texas), includes Marcia Ball, Ray Benson, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock, Kimmie Rhodes and Billy Joe Shaver, along with honorary Texan Emmylou Harris.

When McClinton was earning his stripes in the business, he learned from some of the masters of the blues. His band was the only white group to play the famous Blue Monday nights at the famed Skyliner Ballroom, working with such legends as Jimmy Reed, Howlin' Wolf and Sonny Boy Williamson.

McClinton is marking his 40th anniversary as a nationally known performer. At 62 he has the get-up-and-go of someone half his age. And he's smart in that what he does approaches the unique. A bit of blues, a dab of jazz, a heavy rock beat, a serious love song done with sincerity and without schmaltz. Just listen to the ballad, "Don't Want to Love You" and you'll know how a torch song should be sung. (Excuse me while I wipe the tears from my face). This man is an absolute wonder.

Cooking with Carla Cook

Who will be the next big singer in the jazz world?

With the recent loss of Rosemary Clooney (who didn't really sing in the jazz vernacular) and earlier deaths of Ella Fitzgerald and the incomparable Sarah Vaughan, an argument has been rising among critics as well as the average jazz fan. Nominees for wearing the crown have been plentiful.

If you permit, let me offer a "new" candidate, the wonder-filled entertainment found in the voice of Carla Cook. Granted, she's not one of the names bandied about these days. But based on the evidence of her third release, "Simply Natural" (MaxJazz Records), she should be a candidate.

As the CD demonstrates, Cook joins the company that includes Jill Scott and India Arie, performing in a combination of jazz, funk, r&b, topped with a pop sensibility. To reach the masses, that pop element is important, as both Ella and Sarah demonstrated time and time again.

Cook's new album shows how she has quickly become a singer with a load of talent and an easy way with a song that makes her both exciting and welcome. She has those vocal tricks made popular by the scatting of Fitzgerald and Vaughan, yet she handles ballads with the appeal and warmth of Clooney in her last few years.

The title song makes a delicious opener, and the outstanding accompaniment by the wondrous Cyrus Chestnut (my oh my, is he a brilliant pianist!), Bruce Barth at the piano on several tracks, the soothing bass of Kenny Davis, Billy Kilson on drums and Steve Kroon adding some vital licks on percussion. The combination is magnificent, as good as it gets.

Cook takes jazz tunes such as "Tulip or Turnip," Oscar Brown Jr.'s "Strong Man," and Cook's own "Simply Natural" and "Still Gotta Thing for You," turning them into her personal property. You won't be able to imagine these songs done by another performer unless there's a marked diminishment in quality and sound. This young lady has firm control of a remarkable voice that should thrust her in front of practically all of her contemporaries.

It's only September, but "Simply Natural" right now is my choice as the Best Jazz CD of 2002.

Pam Tillis Salutes Mel

I've always loved country music. Jazz wins my vote as the No. 1 music in my life, but country can do wonders for the soul, too. If you need proof, check the new album by Pam Tillis, "It's All Relative ­ Tillis Sings Tillis" (Epic ­ Lucky Dog Records).

The gimmick, as you figured out from the CD's title, is that Pam sings songs written by her dad. The selection seems right on the button, and Miss T does wonders with every track, including "Burning Memories," " Mental Revenge" and "Detroit City."

Try it. You'll like it.

Bob Powers always is interested in hearing from record distributors who deal in jazz, rock, folk, and anything that's good. For instructions on getting your album reviewed, contact him at rpow123@charter.net.

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