CD Review: Steve Cropper and Felix Cavaliere "Nudge it Up a Notch" (Stax)
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On paper it's a dream match made in soulsville: the iconic guitarist
of Booker T and the MG's writing and recording with the legendary blue-
eyed soul vocalist of The Young Rascals. On disc, forty years after
their respective chart conquests, their chops are in superb shape,
their songwriting talents intertwine smoothly and they sound
remarkably fresh and energized. Cavaliere's vocals retain the summery
emotion of his Young Rascals days, combining soulful phrasing with a
horn-like edginess to his high notes, and Cropper's guitar - both as a
lead and rhythm instrument - retains every bit of its defining Memphis
identity. In addition to his voice, Cavaliere's organ gives a few
tracks the old Rascals feeling, and the rhythm section of Shake
Anderson and Chester Thompson is solid and surprisingly lyrical
throughout.
The album's biggest payoff is the mid-tempo "If It Wasn't for Loving
You," combining Cropper's instantly identifiable rhythm guitar licks
(and a sweet solo) with a heartfelt vocal by Cavaliere, a hook-filled
melody, and a clever a cappella coda. This would have been a huge AM
hit in 1967, but might slip through the cracks of today's balkanized
formats. Also winning are the contemporary soul-blues "To Make It
Right" and "One of Those Days." The former finds Cavaliere failing to
satisfy his mate's material and emotional desires, with Cropper's
guitar neatly echoing the lyrical anxiety. The latter demonstrates the
anguished aftermath of love gone wrong, with a bottom-heavy rhythm,
call-and-response vocals and a guitar solo that's perfectly woven into
the chugging beat.
The duo explore more contemporary sounds with the soul-rap "Make the
Time Go Faster" and proto-funk of "Still Be Loving You," and Cropper's
guitars turn swampy (and Thompson's drums get heavy) for the
instrumental "Full Moon Tonight." Two more instrumentals, "Cuttin' It
Close" and the ska-rhythmed "Jamaica Delight," are undermined by dated
sounds from Cavaliere's keyboard, and though the same might have been
true of the synthesized strings on the soft soul "Impossible," it's
saved by Cavaliere and his background singers. The album's closing
instrumental "Love Appetite" is likewise plagued by synthesizers on
its edges, but Cropper's charging guitar and Cavaliere's Ramsey Lewis-
styled piano provides salvation. This album delivers what it promises:
two soul legends combining their talents into a contemporary album
that deeply echoes the past. The real surprise is how vital both
players sound. [(c)2008 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]