Nashville
Legendary soul singer Solomon Burke teams up with alt.country producer Buddy Miller for a rip through 14 tunes — penned by legends and newcomers, George Jones to Kevin Welch, recorded over eight days at Miller’s home with an A-list deserving of Burke’s stature: Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Gillian Welch, Patty Loveless and Dolly Parton. Each collaborator brings their trademark styling to the sessions, though Parton and Griffin stay carefully in the shadows. Emmylou plays Tammy Wynette to Burke’s George Jones for “We’re Gonna Hold On.” Loveless plays it slinky and risqué for “You’re the Kind of Trouble.” But at day’s end, it’s Burke’s larger than life presence, with the assistance of Miller’s unobtrusive production, that puts these songs across. He delivers everything with heart-strewn ferocity (“Does My Ring Burn Your Finger, “Vicious Circle”). Bruce Springsteen’s “Ain’t Got You” is recast as tumultuous western swing. Tom T. Hall’s “That’s How I Got to Memphis” drifts towards Burke’s natural R&B roots in this spare acoustic reading. Wynette’s “‘Til I Get It Right” brings out his subtle side with tasteful strings.
Four years after the stellar and eclectic Don't Give Up on Me from 2002, which won a Grammy, Solomon Burke returns with another surprise.