Soul, Heart & Gospel

Tony Peyser
Mirror contributing writer

   What motivated Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello and Brian Wilson to write new material for an album on which none of them is performing? The chance to hear their songs sung by Mr. Solomon Burke, one of the last great soul men still standing. The onetime teen preacher made his first album in 1962 and was considered in the same mold as Otis Redding and Percy Sledge. Don’t Give Up On Me is going to win him a lot of new fans with the help of some old admirers. Dan Penn’s title track is a vintage Southern groove that only a guy with his songwriting credentials (like the legendary “Dark End Of The Street”) can create. On Nick Lowe’s “The Other Side Of The Coin,” Burke has the good sense to take his time with this wise and melancholy composition and lets it sizzle without boiling over. “Stepchild” is down and dirty shuffling blues which features Burke improvising this line as a tip of the hat to the song’s author: “Anything you ask me you know I’m willing/I’m just sure I can’t be Bob Dylan.” But for my moolah, the best track is by Tom Waits and his wife Kathleen Brennan. “Diamond In Your Mind” is simultaneously soulful and screwy: “She lives outside of Natchez/There she operates a crane/She’s like a wrecking ball/That’s no longer connected to the chain.” It’s touching, gospel-flavored chorus will take up residence in your head like a Seventh Day Adventist who won’t leave your doorstep. This song in particular and Burke’s CD in general will make Rev. Al quite Green with envy.
   Austin singer-songwriter Troy Campbell’s impressive second album is American Breakdown. “Sad Truth,” gets to your heartstrings before the lyrics kick in with its musical rendering of missed opportunities. “World Of Tears” is quieter but no less effective with nifty lines about loss like, “I haven’t heard you sing to the radio in years.” Wherever they are in their careers, singer-songwriters need a strong producer and Campbell has one here in Gurf Morlix, a guy who keeps popping up in this column like a roots rock Forrest Gump. Campbell’s album will grow on you like a Chia Pet.
   Finally, I want to get you up to speed on the down and dirty gospel of Rev. Vince Anderson and his Love Choir. Anderson, a Seminary dropout, is Tom Waits meets Elmer Gantry or what would’ve happened to Jesus if he’d become a musical barfly. Using gin joints across the country as his pulpit, Anderson is a devilish and divine dervish. On The 13th Apostle, “Dear Lunatics” sounds like a convoy of monster trucks slowly running over a small-town circus. It’s weird and wonderful. Praise the Lord and pass the accordion!
   Miles Of Music (www.milesofmusic. com) has Don’t Give Up On Me for $15 and American Breakdown for $12. Miles Of Music also has The 13th Apostle for ten bucks, but it won’t be available until August 6.
   On July 24th, Solomon Burke’s at The House Of Blues. On July 25, Mike Stinson’s at The Silverlake Lounge, Michele Greene’s at Café Cordiale in Sherman Oaks and Rev. Vince Anderson’s will be preaching to the soon-to-be converted at Culver City’s beloved Cinema Bar. On July 26, Stinson and the fabulously dynamic duo Mule will be rocking at Toppers in Eagle Rock.
   The Goofy Band Name Of The Week is … Casper Fandango & his Tiny Sick Tears.