| This Week's Highlights |
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analysis w/e 14.5.11 |
DVDs out 9.5.11 |
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@ DVDfever Youtube |
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May 11 2011 
DVDfever co uk
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Released three weeks before his untimely death from a heart attack aged 51 in 1993, Lonely Just Like Me, was a kind of ironic title. All but forgotten except by officionados of Southern Soul, he was coaxed into make a recording comeback. Rated as one of the first bona fide singing-songwriters of Country Soul, Alexander threw himself into this after 21 years away from a studio, it showed he’d lost none of his talents, which had been recognised by The Beatles (Soldier Of Love), The Rolling Stones (You Better Move On) and Bob Dylan who’d covered his songs after, apparently, hearing his songs on Radio Luxembourg. Later in the '70s, Dr.Hook would cover Sharing The Night Together.
Songs 1-12 are originals, either self-penned or co-written. Despite the wonderful songs still sounding great, they don’t quite catch Alexander’s more rusting leanings. Opener, If It’s Really Got To Be This Way sees him swooning away in a laid back manner, whereas shuffling Go Home Girl takes on a Drifters like quality, with a lovely hook, also found on the title track. Sally Sue Brown is more of a foot-tapping R’n’B jaunt from the Eric Bibb-like songbook. Needing little other than his vocal, three keyboards – piano, electric piano, organ and bass, he delivers a masterful gospel tinged All The Time. On There Is A Road, he gives a soulful and stirring performance, supplemented by swirling strings and an almost Motown Funk Brothers beat.
From tracks 13 to 20, featuring his debut single You Better Move On (1962) Alexander gives a live performance split with interviews, recorded on May 7 1993 at Washington DC Hilton for a broadcast of Fresh Air, and is the only live recording of Alexander’s following the release of Lonely Just Like Me. Tracks 21 to 24 were recorded December 1991, in Ben Vaughn’s Cleveland hotel room during his first meeting with Alexander. Vaughn went on to produce the studio album. Anna, track 25, a 1962 hit, was recorded September 5 1991 for ‘A Bunch Of Songwriters Sitting Around Singing’ at the Bottom Line in New York, which brought his attention to Danny Khan of Elektra Records, eventually leading to Lonely Just Like Me, two years later. Check the Amazon link above for a full track listing. File under : Soulful master.
Weblink:
myspace.com/arthuralexander
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier. PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
