Based in San Francisco, California THE ANTHONY PAULE SOUL ORCHESTRA, was founded in 2007, by guitarist/songwriter Anthony Paule. Anthony and the band take their inspiration from the classic Soul and Blues recordings of the ‘60s and ‘70s and if you yearn for that kind of music – the kind of “for real” soul and blues that many think is no longer being made, then may we point you to this lovely, old school album, actually the band’s sixth LP.
The band on ‘What Are You Waiting For’ is an eight piece (including a tight horn quartet) and the vocalist is a band new boy – Willie Jordan. Willie, though, is no callow newcomer to soul and blues. He’s previously worked with Elvin Bishop and John Lee Hooker and follows luminaries like Frank Bey, Terrie Odabi and Wee Willie Walker as the Soul Orchestra’s lead voice.
Indeed amongst this new album’s highlight is a song that the collective previously recorded with Walker. It’s the wonderfully, old school soulful ‘After A While’. This takes you right back to the Golden Age of Southern soul – think Goldwax, Stax, FAME Malaco. There’s a passionate, sincere vocal, gentle rhythms, subtle brass shadings, Hammond hints, a classic horn solo and a heartbreaking ending. Yes, it’s a good ‘un!
Elsewhere, there are more Southern soul shadings on the jaunty ‘One Way’, the stark ‘You’re Someone Else’s Baby Too’ , the Staples-flavoured ‘Where Is Justice?’ and the brassy ‘Love Out Loud’. The album features plenty of biting blues too – things like ‘You Ain’t Old Till You Cold’ and the dark ‘Bruised’. The 11 tracker even includes a little tongue-in-cheek comedy via ‘No Tofu’ with the funky vocal chant demanding soul food rather than Tofu!
In truth, musically, ‘What Are You Waiting For’ delivers plenty of soul food! Notably that outstanding ‘After A While’ .
(BB) 4/5
