Artist: Doyle Bramhall II Album: Rich Man Bitrate: 245kbps avg Quality: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.98.4 / -V0 / 44.100Khz Label: Concord Genre: Blues Size: 134.85 megs PlayTime: 1h 12min 40sec total Rip Date: 2016-10-14 Store Date: 2016-10-14 Track List: -------- 01. Mama Can't Help You 4:22 02. November 5:08 03. The Veil 4:53 04. My People 6:55 05. New Faith 4:51 06. Keep You Dreamin' 5:00 07. Hands Up 6:46 08. Rich Man 5:23 09. Harmony 5:43 10. Cries Of Ages 5:35 11. Saharan Crossing 3:02 12. The Samanas 9:54 13. Hear My Train A Comin' 5:08 Release Notes: -------- Unless you are Steely Dan, waiting 15 years between releases isnÆt an advisable tactic to grow a career. That doesnÆt seem to bother TexasÆ Doyle Bramhall ll, whose work supporting, touring with, producing and/or writing songs for artists as varied as Eric Clapton, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Roger Waters, Sheryl Crow, and Norah Jones (who provides harmony vocals on this discÆs meditative ballad ôNew Faithö) has kept his name at least in the small print throughout that decade-and-a-half time span. Although Bramhall is at least partly known for his fiery blues-rock guitar skills, he downplays his six-string talents on Rich Man. ThatÆs especially noteworthy on a cover of Jimi HendrixÆs ôHear My Train a-CominÆ,ö the only track that he doesnÆt have a hand in composing, where he forgoes guitar acrobatics to concentrate on a swampy, humid approach, entirely in keeping with the songÆs overall vibe.á á There are bluesy undertones bubbling under these 13 tunes that roll out over a generous hour and a quarter. But Bramhall stays on low boil even as the funk percolates on the opening ôMama CanÆt Help Youö and the riff-based ôKeep You DreaminÆ,ö the latter a hot, sexed-up slice of steamy soul where he sings ôMove with me baby/ CanÆt you see itÆs where you belongö like heÆs preparing to understudy for Lenny Kravitz. ThereÆs a mystical groove both in lyrics to ôMy Peopleö (ôBreak it down to the bones and youÆll see now/ All people are my peopleö) and the overall approach which, in this track, includes instruments such as sarangi (a North Indian classical bowed string instrument) and harmonium. BramhallÆs dusky voice complements these soulful rockers, and after a few spins his low key delivery becomes intoxicating. HeÆs also in no hurry as each selection takes its time to unspool, culminating in the nine minute ôThe Samanas,ö an epic with three sections that represents ôa personal journey through different musical influences and a spiritual journey back to the truth,ö as he explains in the albumÆs comprehensive press notes. As you can tell, this isnÆt easy listening. BramhallÆs tunes are often dense though always melodic, even if those melodies slither and snake their way through the music. The soul-rocker ôNovemberö even has backing singers, horns and chamber strings resulting in one of the setÆs most commercial moments. Still, at five minutes, this would take some judicious editing to get on the radio. The wah-wah guitar that provides ôThe Veilö with its hook seems to have been borrowed from the soundtrack to Shaft. It may take a few spins to sink in, but when it does Rich Man connects. While itÆs hard to justify the extended wait for its arrival, this is an ambitious, beautifully crafted project that feels as centered and focused as its spiritually-influenced frontman.