[.ca] New Role Soul

Uptempo Blues/R & B CD:
Robert Ward was the leader of the Falcons (Wilson Pickett's original group). Ward resurfaced after years of absence in the early 90's. New Role Soul is his newest release and a great CD to get acquainted with Robert Ward. New Role Soul is more R & B than blues, however this is R & B much like Little Milton or some of the Stax recordings in the 60's. Ward as always offers a very distinctive voice as well as guitar sound. The sound is full thanks in part to the B3 organ of Kevin McKendree which is a nice accomplice to Ward's guitar playing. The songs are a mix of new and some lesser known R & B classics. The last song on the disk is "Somethin Funky's Goin' On". Yes Robert there sure is and it is New Role Soul.

Robert Ward's New Winner:
I have to admit that I wasn't familiar with Robert Ward's music until I began hearing "New Role Soul" on the major blues radio programs in Boston, where it's been getting a lot of air time. Having finally bought "New Role Soul," I can understand why it's getting such good airplay, because it's one of the best CDs I've bought in a long time. This man is pure soul from the word "go". His voice is the real thing, and his guitar playing is astonishing. He has a truly unique sound on guitar that becomes instantly recognizable once you've heard it a few times, and it's a sound that's incredibly appealing. I don't know where I've been all these years, but Robert Ward has all of a sudden become a "big name" in blues/soul to me! I love this whole album, but there are some standout songs on "New Role Soul" that should be mentioned, the most notable (to me) being "Whatever I Receive". This song is a wonderfully long (nearly ten minutes) combination of powerful voice and even more powerful guitar, with some great Hammond B3 backing it up and taking center stage in the middle of the song--and it's so spiritually uplifting! Honestly, I just can't get enough of this song. Another real winner is Mr.Ward's cover of the great Kenny Burrell tune, "Chitlins Con Carne". It's as good a rendition of this classic as any I've ever heard, and sure to please any jazz fan. The title song, "New Role Soul" (written by Mr. Ward's wife Roberta Ward) is another special song, and I also especially like the cover of "I Ain't Drunk". So if you haven't heard this man before, as I hadn't, do yourself a favor and get this album! Personally, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Mr. Ward receive a W.C. Handy nomination this year.

ON THE MONEY:
ROBERT WARD PLAYS MUSIC WITH A CONVICTION THAT IS SO POWERFUL THAT YOU CAN FEEL THE POWER IN HIS VOICE AND GUITAR. CD CONTAINS 13 TRACKS WITH 9 ORIGINALS AND COVERS OF KENNY BURELLS "CHITTLINS CON CARRE" AND ALBERT COLLINS "I AINT DRUNK"

• Put Yourself in My Place
• New Role Soul
• Never Found a Girl
• I'm So Proud to Have You for My Love
• Peace of Mind
• Chicken Jerk
• Whatever I Receive
• Don't Make No Sense
• I Come to Save You
• Ark of Safety
• Chitlins con Carne
• I Ain't Drunk
• Somethin' Funky's Goin' On