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Lou Pride:
Noted as "one of blues best kept secrets" singer Lou Pride releases Words of Caution, his debut recording on Severn Records and his most accomplished effort to date. This strong release finds Pride delving into twelve blues-soaked soul numbers for 47 minutes of pure listening enjoyment. "Fella's, better treat her right!" warns the veteran baritone in the title track, a song that could just as easily sound at home in Al Green's songbook as it does here. He further explores his soul roots with "Love for My Baby," "I Found My Baby Gone" and "It's a Good Thing," a silky smooth original reminiscent of Barry White's offerings from the '70's. But his roots extend further to include blues, as heard on Delbert McClinton's heartbreaking "You Were Never Mine" and "Livin' a Lie" highlighted by the sensational Albert-King-inspired fretwork of Harold Flood, plus gospel with "You Are My Rainbow," a gorgeous example kindled by Pride's upbringing in the church. And in what seems an effortless task, the man with the big voice tackles two Roy C. Hammond tunes with ease, "Don't Blame the Man" and "After the Disco" (re-worked as "After the Party") plus a power-packed rendition of Ann Peebles' "Beware!" Brimming with standout performances from a six piece horn section led by Willie Henderson of Tyrone Davis fame and the Severn Studio Band (Steve Gomes on bass, Jon Moeller on guitar, Robb Stupka on drums plus Benjie Porecki and Bill Heid sharing keyboard duties), it's no surprise that Words of Caution is a crowning moment for the golden-throated Pride. Born outside of Chicago, singing is something that seemed to come naturally for Lou Pride. Like many of the artists he's commonly compared to (Bobby Bland, ZZ Hill and Little Milton), he got his start singing in the choir of the First Baptist Church whose pastor was Reverend E.J. Cole (Nat King Cole's father). His initial recording career began in the early 70's on an obscure label, Suemi Records, which produced a few notable singles for Lou. He then moved to Black Gold Records and released Very Special and Gone Bad for a Very Special Reason before producer Marvin Yancy (Natalie Cole's ex-husband) introduced him to Curtis Mayfield whose Curtom label produced Gone Bad Again. Pride has a few more recognized works with his WMB Records release Love At Last, which earned critical acclaim from Living Blues Magazine ("among the year's best soul/blues albums"), and Twisting the Knife (Ichiban) in addition to I Won't Give Up on Kingsnake/Icehouse. Links: |
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