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 11/2017

    Williams Wayne & Isaak
    Big City Back Country Blues

  • reviewed 05/2008

    TOM PRINCIPATO BAND
    RAISING THE ROOF

  • reviewed 02/2017

    Quinn Sullivan
    Midnight Highway

  • reviewed 04/2020

    THE NIGHTHAWKS
    TRYIN' TO GET TO YOU

  • reviewed 05/2010

    BETTYE LaVETTE
    Interpretations – The Great British Songbook

  • reviewed 03/2016

    The Suitcase Junket
    Dying Star

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.