argely the work of writer, guitarist and producer Danny Johnson, Soul Provider also features Eddie Davis on lead vocals, Clarence Bass on keyboards, PG Bennett on bass and Jerome Wilkins on drums.
Johnson has previously produced albums that were virtually self contained but the addition on this CD of guest musicians has created an album that feels like the work of a real band.
Danny has undoubtedly mastered a range of styles, both as a writer and guitarist. The up-tempo blues opener 'It's Calling Me Back' features his own exceptional guitar work and is followed by the funk stoked ballad (is there such an animal?) title track. The use of layered keyboards is well to the fore on the dance based 'Dance With My Baby' but its not a particularly strong song. Much better is the slide led 'Everybody's Got A Baby' and the soulful ballad 'Who's Crying' For You Now'.
The instrumental 'Secret River' is very fine with wonderful ensemble playing - lovely guitar and piano leads, a jazz inflected delight. (Vibraphone solo from guest Robert Box). The band take on 'Walk Around Heaven All Day' is an excellent follow-up - Eddie Davis' vocals on this and Al Green's 'Jesus Will Fix It' (the last track on the CD) are well suited to this type of song and arrangement, perhaps more so than the straight ahead blues and up-tempo numbers. He sings the socks of both these tracks.
'I'll Be The One' is another excellent mid tempo workout, 'One Day' is a typical slow blues burner and 'J-Song' a pleasant jump blues instrumental. 'You Ain't No Good' features some sterling work from the whole band, with an additional solo contribution from Mark Tate on steel guitar. The album finishes strongly with the aforementioned Al Green classic.
It's a strong and musically diverse album and its weakest point, somewhat surprisingly, may well be its production. To the Primer, it seems a little thin (we used to call this type of production radio friendly) and it seems to suck a little of the life out of what nonetheless remains a fine CD.
argely the work of writer, guitarist and producer Danny Johnson, Soul Provider also features Eddie Davis on lead vocals, Clarence Bass on keyboards, PG Bennett on bass and Jerome Wilkins on drums.
Johnson has previously produced albums that were virtually self contained but the addition on this CD of guest musicians has created an album that feels like the work of a real band.