Make Do With What You Got
The self-proclaimed "King of Rock 'n' Soul" upholds his title on this follow-up to his 2002 Grammy-winning comeback,Don't Give Up on Me. At 64, Solomon Burke's voice still has an electric crackle. Every low purr and keening near-falsetto that he applied to a string of hits between 1961 and 1968 that helped build Atlantic Records remains intact. In fact, if anything, he's more persuasive and versatile today. Burke breathes zestful life into material as diverse as the opening stomp, "I Need Your Love in My Life," the testifying "Let Somebody Love Me," a sweet reading ofthe Band's "It Makes No Difference," andHank Williams Sr.'s country-gospel "Wealth Won't Save Your Soul"--the latter of which Burke, who's an ordained bishop, takes to church with a soaring organ-driven arrangement.Producer Don Was draws on the classic Stax and Muscle Shoals sounds, using keyboards and guitars--the latter played byRay Parker Jr.and Shoals veteran Reggie Young--to underscore Burke's powerful vocal melodies. And the bloodlines of classic Memphis propulsion run through drummer James Gadson's veins. With such superb accomplices Burke doesn't just make do... he makes great music.--Ted Drozdowski