Put Your Trust In Me
JSP Records JSPCD2145
Hit By A Truck/ Should Be At Work/ Sometimes/ Talk is Cheap/ It Ain't Nothin' But The Truth/ Gonna Keep On/ Put Your Trust In Me/ Don't Lose Your Good Thing/ Don't Give Up On Your Dream/ I Wanna Come Home
This dramatic and creative CD by vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist, Johnny Rawls, is exciting and well-done. It is his fourth album with JSP Records. Rawls gained his years of experience by playing guitar with such artists as Z.Z Hill, Little Johnny Taylor, and O.V.Wright. He still has his magic guitar touch with his sparse guitar solos, but he seems to favour his vocals more these days. His emphatic, soulful vocals would make most anyone a believer. Rawls wrote all ten of the R&B and soul songs with the help of multi-talented Bruce Feiner, who is the manager, keyboardist, and producer, among other things.
Most of the songs and lyrics are upbeat, positive, uplifting, and sometimes inspirational. They are enhanced by a variety of talent in the band which includes several guest artists. The Nutmeg Horns add great dimensions. The horns often accentuate the mood strongly with their melodic arrangements. Many of the songs have the uplifting Stax-style of soul sound. Tunes like "Sometimes" and "Put Your Trust In Me," are beautiful, passionate gems. Other songs like "Don't Give Up Your Dreams" and "Gonna Keep On" are inspiring and effective. Guest artist, bluesman, Eddie Kirkland does some excellent singing and guitar playing in " Don't Lose Your Good Thing." Another guest, Phil Guy, shares the vocals and guitar playing on the honest "Should Be At Work." Rawls is at the helm of this CD with his dynamic vocals and guitar playing.
After listening to this excellent selection of songs, I'd put my trust anytime in Johnny Rawls. Not only can he compose meaningful songs, but he can sing and play them with feelings that come directly from the heart. He has some special talents that should place him among the outstanding R&B and soul performers of today. This superb CD is testimony to that. Everything like the arrangements, talents, and songs all blend together to create a CD to enjoy repeatedly. Check it out.
by Maria Bainer, © January, 2001
available in Australia and New Zealand from:
Stone Hut Music
stonehut@granite.net.au
www.granite.net.au/~pegler/stonehut.htm
