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CHARLES BROWN
CHARLES BROWN
One More For The Road
(Alligator)
Charles shares that blues-jazz style that made Jay McShann and Ray Charles legends. Charles had nine top ten singles between 1946 & 1952; among those hits were 'Driftin' Blues', 'Merry Christmas Baby', 'Black Night' & 'Please Come Home For Christmas', that have been covered by so many. He has influenced so many legends musicians including Little Richard, and he was a major inspiration for Sam Cooke's Night Beat album, and 'Bring It Home To Me' was a re-write of Brown's own 'I want To Go Home'.

Opening with 'I Cried Last Night', Charles deep timbre vocals are so moving. Buddy Johnson's 'Save Your Love For Me' is tastefully revived as a warm ballad. 'I Stepped In Quicksand' shows Jay McShann influences. The 3am honky tonk classic 'One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)' would have to be Brown's road theme. 'Troup's '(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66' is given a jazzy, r & b theme, and this features Billy Butler on guitar. It's great to see Charles performing one of Charlie Rich's early Sun classic's 'Who Will The Next Fool Be?'. 'You Changed My Life' has unusual, yet delightful tempo changes and features Billy Butler who reminds me of jazz-guitarist Al Casey. Maybe all of us have experienced the heartfelt memories of 'Cottage For Sale'. The funky 'My Heart Is Mended' sounds like some of Henry Mancini early jazz recordings. 'I Miss You So' is melancholy and reflective. 'Travelin' Blues' is another Brown classic that he first performed with 'Johnny Moore & The Three Blazers'. 'My Heart Is Mended' is from that same period.

This is a fantastic late night album and it comes highly recommended!
Gazz

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Charles-Brown