BLUES ROYALTY
D on ’ t call it a comeback . Although it ’ s been an entire decade since Ronnie Baker Brooks has released an album , his presence in the blues industry during that time has been ubiquitous . “ I produced Eddy Clearwater ’ s album , West Side Strut , I did a compilation with Johnny Castro , I co-produced my dad ’ s last album and I ’ ve been touring ,” explained Ronnie about his busy schedule over the last ten years . Add raising a
By Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
Photo by Paul Natkin
Ronnie Baker Brooks
14-year-old daughter to all that and you get the impression that fans are incredibly lucky that he squeezed in recording his dynamic new album , Times Have Changed .
A Memphis brewed stew of blues riffs , soul crooning and social commentary , the 11-track offering is well worth the wait . With a lineup that includes appearances by the late Bobby “ Blue ” Bland , Angie Stone , “ Big Head ” Todd Mohr , Stax guitarist Steve Cropper and the legendary
Lonnie Brooks , this CD delivers thrilling listening . “ I ’ m happy to take time to record my own music ,” Ronnie explained . “ I ’ ve recorded all of my albums in Memphis because it ’ s a place that I can get away and work .” Times Have Changed was recorded at the fabled Royal Studios where Al Green , Syl Johnson and Bobby “ Blue ” Bland recorded and also at Nashville ’ s Blackbird Studio with Memphis music royalty ( Cropper , Tennie , Charles and Leroy Hodges of the Hi rhythm section , Archie Turner ) backing him , Ronnie really didn ’ t have a choice except to create a significant collection of blues-based music . Of course , Ronnie Baker Brooks knows a thing or two about music royalty .
“ It ’ s an honor to be his ( Lonnie Brooks ) son , he taught me everything I know but not everything he knows ,” he said . “ Very early on , my dad coached us ( Ronnie and his brother Wayne ) on writing our own material and crafting our own identity . I felt a strong obligation to be a blues musician . No one at the time , of my generation was doing it and I felt like , ‘ I gotta do this .’ My mindset changed when I did The Torch ( in 2006 ). My dad , Eddy Clearwater , Jimmy Johnson and Willie Kent all played on my album . I was trying to pay them and they said ' no , just keep doing what you ’ re doing .' I felt like I was accepted into the blues men fraternity and now I feel it ’ s an honor , not an obligation .”
That honor that he feels for his craft is all over Times Have Changed . He ’ s done his dad proud and written 5 of the 11 tracks and he ’ s honed his perspective and sound into a cohesive soundscape that builds from the past and looks to the future . He ’ ll be 50-years-old on January 23 and this album presents the reflections of a seasoned bluesman who is confident in his path .
Kicking off with the Joe Tex classic “ Show Me ,” Ronnie supplies dynamic riffs with convincing soul shouts accompanied by a pumping rhythm section that dares you to stay still . That dance vibe gives way to the blues funk of ‘ Doing Too Much ” with Big Head Todd trading licks and vocals with Ronnie . The most crucial blues album instrumental this side of Buddy Guy appears with “ Twine Time ,” an R & B hit that gets a re-working with Ronnie and Lonnie tearing through riffs .
“ When Steve ( producer Steve Jordan ) suggested " Twine Time ," I said , what ? My dad was probably in the studio somewhere when they recorded that .’” Although Ronnie was in Memphis and Lonnie was in Chicago , the elder Brooks recorded the vocals and entire song at Todd ’ s house in Chicago . The result is a seamless track that sizzles with energy . The song sounds like a non-stop party and Ronnie revealed that there were several guests in the studio , including Drake ’ s dad . “ He ’ s a friend of Willie Mitchell ’ s family and he was just hanging out .”
Standouts include a memorable interpretation of Curtis Mayfleid ’ s “ Give Me Your Love ,” with Angie Stone offering sultry guest vocals , the title track which serves up social commentary on the changing societal landscape with Memphis MC Al Kapone closing it out with a rap and a searing rendition of “ Old Love ” by Bobby “ Blue Bland . “ I always performed that song live and I wanted to include it on the CD ,” said Ronnie of
18 illinoisentertainer . com january 2017