Roy Head feat. Deniz Tek
Last Time Around
(Wild Honey Records)
Lore holds that Soul/R&B/Pop belter Roy - who could slip from full-bodied exhortation into creamy crooning as eminent as any we're likely to hear in this life - was once kicked off a James Brown tour for untethered onstage exuberance. We owe gratitude to Wild Honey and Radio Birdman guitarist Deniz Tek for now restoring Roy to deserved approbation.
The re-recording of Roy's 1965 hit "Treat Her Right" paired him with Deniz, and is featured here. Deniz also lent his fret faculties to two additional cuts. His articulations flabbergast. Unreleased 2020 tracks feature the singer's guitarist son, Sundance; Head the younger exhibits serious chops and substantial flash worthy of the moment.
Accompanists all meet the task admirably. Brass alternately swells, descends, and flows in sterling service to each passionate passage. And the dynamism furnished by the agile-yet-stalwart rhythm section maintains vitality.
Tragically, Roy's passing occured as he was recording this collection. His gritty oeuvre puts the lie to the racist fancy that white men can't grab up Soul and R&B pulsations, twist them mightily, and wring out every possible drop of sweetness. (Identical salute is also merited by Wayne Cochran.)
"'Living legend' is a word used too carelessly, these days," Deniz once said to Detroit Rock'n'Roll magazine. "This is one time that it fits."
Recommended: "Feels Like Rain," "Slow Down (But Don't Stop)," "Lean and Hungry," "Ice Cream Man," "Still Married," "Undercover Agent for the Blues," "Earthquake," "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby," "Daddy Oh," "Treat Her Right"
Videos: "Ice Cream Man" (feat. Deniz Tek) "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby" "Treat Her Right" (Hollywood A Go Go TV show, mid-1960s)
Wild Honey (Bandcamp)
Facebook (Deniz)
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