|
 Released May 30, 2000
Less of a horn-drenched affair than his Black Top albums, New Role Soul presents Robert Ward in a smaller, looser setting that definitely works to his advantage. Instead of taking the usual let's-cut-come-oldies approach, the producers let Ward create on the fly, and the results easily rank up there with his 1990 comeback album Fear No Evil. For most of New Role Soul Ward is backed by just a three-piece rhythm section of bass, drums, and organ, leaving plenty of room for his testifying vocals and Magnatone-enhanced guitar. The two instrumentals here, "The Chicken Jerk" and "Chitlins Con Carne," are classy arrangements full of funky, fingerpicked guitar solos -- like Albert Collins, Ward knew how to milk a guitar-organ combo to the last drop. Even more impressive is Ward's rhythm guitar playing, a virtual bottomless pit of cool grooves and subtle fills. (Power chords will never be the same after "Peace of Mind.") In the decade since Fear No Evil, Ward's vocals have lost some power, but that doesn't stop him from diving into tortured-soul territory, as he does on "Whatever I Receive" and "I'm So Proud to Have You for My Love." This is probably the most well-rounded album Ward has recorded. ~ Ken Chang, All Music Guide
TRACKS 1. Put Yourself in My Place
2. New Role Soul
3. Never Found a Girl
4. I'm So Proud to Have You for My Love
5. Peace of Mind
6. The Chicken Jerk
7. Whatever I Receive
8. Don't Make No Sense
9. I Come to Save You
10. Ark of Safety
11. Chitlins con Carne
12. I Ain't Drunk
13. Somethin' Funky's Goin' On
:: Back to Robert Ward :: View more Georgia blues artists.
|
|
|
© 2006 All Music Guide, LLC