El' Willie brings 'Situations' to listeners
By Strings
Not to beat a dead horse (although it's safer than trying to ride a live bronco), but I've said it before- it's taken be some time to get used to some of the newer sounds in R&B, especially when it comes to Southern Soul. I grew up on full rhythm sections, real horns, Hammond organs and the like. So, it's taken me some time to get used to the stripped down synth- and drummachine based sound that came along a few years ago. Yeah, I understood that time marches on, and with it comes changes in economics and technology and, alas, changes in music.
Okay, I have to admit, some of the new stuff that's come along ain't bad-not bad at all. Some of it, like "Situations" by El' Willie (Ash Street Productions, MVP Records/Phat Sound Promotions) falls in that category: Not bad and, in fact, quite a bit of fun.
On his latest, El' Willie, who's always been a solid performer when it comes to soul singing, has added storyteller to his repertoire. At times, he seems to be channeling that same spirit that blew my mind the first time I heard Isaac Hayes' long rap at the beginning of "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" on the classic "Hot Buttered Soul" album. Can't complain about that. But, all along, El' Willie hasn't abandoned that fun, funky sound that's popular in places fun loving grown folks love to frequent. Or as my, well, uh, "special friend" might say, "That's the kind of record I like to hear when I'm down at the Legion ready to dance."
You get the picture.
Anyway, good clean, but adult fun is what this 16-song set is about. The music and themes are familiar, starting with the opener, "Come Get Your Grove On," a funky, bumpin' number that issues a call to the dance floor. El' Willie follows with "Shoo-Be-Doo-Be- Doo, Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Dee," an easy going tune that, like the title sounds, harkens back to some classic old school singing styles.
Next is the title track. It's here that El' Willie starts to get deep into storytelling mode explaining that, "This song is about situations and how you handle a situation." Ever the gentleman, he talks about situations the ladies might find themselves in first before talking to the men. Check out some of the clever writing in this one if you want to know how you tastefully can tell adult truths without having to be explicit.
The singer continues on down that path of teaching life lessons with "I Can't Get Over You," a tale of love lost and found, before moving back to the fun on the easygoing "Don't Ever Be Lonely."
It's back to Isaac Hayes groove for a moment with "Will He Be There," a touching track that clocks in at a bit over six minutes. Of course, check out the 1:30 rap at the beginning that sets up the tune.
"Simple Girl" is a simple, stripped down tune that leads into "If Some Know Somebody," a poignant piece about a friend. El' Willie lightens it up again with the funky love song (yeah, that's right!) "Baby Don't Be Gone Too Long."
While this record features a lot of fun, there's some serious tough talk on here, particularly on "Dope Or Dogfood?" a pointed social commentary with lyrics by Bishop James E. Bryant. I agree-drugs have been the ruination of so many folks and the community.
El Willie gets, well, call it "silly," in a fun way on "Blues Reggae Style," a hilarious track that needs no explanation. Check out the accent!
The record finishes with the light "Say It's Time For Loving, Baby," the sensual "Show Me What You're Working With" (yeah, the theme might seem a bit cliché-ish, but El' Willie handles this in fun fashion), the piano-driven "I'm So Glad I've Got You" and the flat out gospel tune, "You Need Jesus." It's a relatively rare closing idea to remind folks of what life really is about that I've only heard on a couple of other records, most notably by the legendary Frank-O Johnson and Southern Soul überproducer Carl Marshall. It's a nice touch.
"Situations" by El' Willie is a fun modern exercise in the new Southern Soul aesthetic.
Have an opinion on this matter? We'd like to hear from you. Click here.
[home]
Current Entertainment Section Headlines
Mike Tyson subject of revealing documentary
Salome's Stars
Top 20 21st Century R&B Soul The Reel Soul
DJ Night Train
Site Map
News content published by Frost Illustrated. Copyright 2008
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction prohibited.
From: <Saved by Microsoft Internet Explorer 5>
Subject: Southern Soul Radio
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 11:59:03 -0700