Most of you might already know that the Jimmy Barnes 1991 ‘Soul Deep’ album is not only the biggest seller in his already illustrious solo career, but was also the most successful in Mushroom Records history.
Containing a stellar list of smash-hit soul covers such as ‘I Gotcha’ and ‘River Deep, Mountain High’ alongside Motown classics ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’, ‘Reflections’ and ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)’ it was as successful as it was ground breaking back in the day and as we all know a raft of soul tribute albums has followed in its extraordinary wake.
He followed that up with the very successful ‘Soul Deeper’ album in 2000 which was again peppered with soul gems like ‘Chain Of Fools’ and ‘Hold On, I’m Comin’’ along with new tributes to Motown via ‘Dancing In The Street’ ‘Ain’t Too Proud To Beg’ and ‘What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted’.
And now some nine years later, Jimmy is about to do it all again !
The Rhythm & The Blues is where rock ‘n’ roll and modern soul started back in the 50’s and 60’s and this is the title of the new Jimmy Barnes album which is scheduled for release August 28, 2009.
You might call it a prequel, because this new collection of songs is not strictly ‘soul’ but moreso a 50’s and 60’s rock, rhythm and blues blend that I truly believe will once again position Jimmy as a leader in these kinds of concept albums..
It’s dedicated to the pioneers and forefathers of modern music, and crosses the gamut from rock to swing to soul, but all songs have that common rhythm and blues thread..
Shake Rattle and Roll - Big Joe Turner; I Was Made To Love her - Stevie Wonder / Jackie Wilson; Young Blood - The Coasters; A Fool In Love - Ike and Tina Turner; Reconsider Me - Johnny Adams; My Baby Just Cares For me - Nina Simone; You Can't Judge a Book - Bo Diddley; That's Right - Chris Powell; Keep A Knocking - Little Richard; Rockin' Pnuemonia - Huey (Piano) Smith; Hallelujah (I Love Her So) - Ray Charles; Red Hot - Billy Lee Riley; That’s How It Is – Otis Clay.
The album has again been produced by Don Gehman in L.A (Soul Deep and Soul Deeper) and features some of the best and most qualified musicians and session singers going around).
James Gadson - Drums
Reggie McBride - Bass
Mike Thompson - Keyboards
Johnny Lee Schell - Guitar
Darrell Leonard - Trumpet, Arranger
Joseph Sublet - Sax
Tom Peterson - Sax
www.jimmybarnes.com/
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