Despite what the nay sayers think, good, authentic, old school 60s soul is still being made – you just need to know where to look for it and who’s still cutting it! Someone who’s still cutting it for sure is veteran Chicago soul man GERALD McCLENDON (below). To make a living, though, we’re told that Gerald has to be versatile and he embraces all sorts of genres but soul is his first love and he cites Marvin Gaye, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding as his heroes and influences.
We’ve also leanred that his live soul shows and recordings have earned Gerald the nickname, “Soulkeeper” in and around Chicago, so if you’re intrigued and/or just yearn for some real old school soul then you may want to investigate our man’s current album, ‘Down At The Juke Joint’.
The LP’s a twelve tracker (all original songs) and it was produced by Twist Turner and the pair set out their stall right at the start with the big, brassy, jaunty ‘Back Where You Belong’. This one is redolent of the sound of Stax and (in latter days) Malaco with Mr Mc coming on like a modern Johnnie Taylor or Little Milton! There’s more of the same breezy soul on the album title track and the lovely ‘You Make Me Happy – an album highlight.
Gerald can also deliver searing, sparse ballads like ‘I’ll Be In Your Corner’, ‘Crying Time Again’ and ‘It’s Too Late, She’s Gone’ (think James Carr on that one!). Blues – well there’s the biting ‘House Ain;t A Home’ and ‘Only Time Will Tell’ .
So plenty of variety here; all held together by McClendon’s soulful conviction and Turner’s authentic production. This one’s recommended (especially ‘You Make Me Happy’) if you want something properly old school – out now via Delta Records.
