Philly Gumbo’s CD of cover songs, Come and Get It, has a New Orleans feel — and that’s not just because the last track on the record is titled “Mardi Gras.” Many of the songs included on the album were originally made famous by New Orleans based artists such as The Meters (“People Say”), Taj Mahal (“She Caught the Katy”) and Irma Thomas (“I Done Got Over It”). Others such as the James Hunter’s “People Gonna Talk” are definitely influenced by the mix of Caribbean, blues, soul and jazz music that is such a strong part of the New Orleans musical scene.
Quality musicianship is one thing that listeners know they will get from a record associated with the city of New Orleans and that’s definitely the case with Come and Get it. CC Crabtree renders some inspired and creative saxophone work throughout the album, and he is especially on point on the cut “I’m Not Gonna Cry.” Vocalist India Rex provides by vocals on most of the tracks, and she is more than capable of displaying the many moods and attitudes contained in soul music. She rhapsodizes over her fellow players in power packed renditions of Linda Lyndell’s “What a Man,” and Bettye LaVette’s “My Man, He’s a Lovin’ Man.” The frustration and want simmer under the surface of Rex’s performance of the Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings jam “I’m Not Gonna Cry,” and those emotions overflow in her bluesy and mournful interpretation of Etta James’ “Damn Your Eyes.” The arrangements used by that Philly Gumbo on this 12 track album stick pretty close to those used by the artists that made the tunes famous. However, that is not a negative in this case. If anything, a side-by-side comparison will reveal that that the Philly Gumbo musicians sport some pretty good musical chops.
Notable Tracks: What a Man, People Say, I Done Got Over It, People Gonna Talk, I’m Not Gonna Cry
Vocals: 3.0
Lyrics: 4.0
Music: 3.5
Production: 3.5
Soultracks Call: Recommended
By Howard Dukes
