MICK HUCKNALL

TRIBUTE TO BOBBY

2008-08-21

Mick Hucknall, who found his fame as lead singer of English pop band, Simply Red, returns with this homage to Memphis R & B artist, Bobby “Blue” Bland. The result is a bit of a mixed bag with Hucknall’s versions of some of Bland’s better known tunes falling short against better known versions such as Eric Clapton’s take on "Farther Up the Road" or the Allman Brothers’ definitive take on "Stormy Monday Blues" which over the years have eclipsed even Bland’s own versions. On the other hand, Hucknall successfully takes other tracks into new places that work just fine. "Ain’t That Lovin’ You" plays like the Spinners spent some time with Bland while "I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog (The Way you Treated Me)" and "Cry, Cry, Cry" evoke their R & B roots and "Yolanda" is a spirited funk work out. "Pity the Fool" combines the anger of Bland’s lyrics with a venomous delivery that erases the self-pity party of "Chains of Love". Like Steve Winwood, Hucknall has an elastic voice that fits quite well with this type of material even though he doesn’t redefine any of it in any major way. Overall, you’re better off sticking with the original. Smitty

More reviews tagged #Blues

  • reviewed 12/2007

    DOWNCHILD BLUES BAND
    LIVE AT THE PALAIS ROYALE

  • reviewed 05/2015

    Tomislav Goluban
    Blow Junkie

  • reviewed 09/2014

    NICO VEGA
    Lead to Light

  • reviewed 03/2013

    CASH BOX KINGS
    BLACK TOPPIN

  • reviewed 12/2016

    Lisa Mann
    Hard Times, Bad Decisions

  • reviewed 06/2011

    HADDEN SAYERS
    Hard Dollar

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.