|
TOMMOROW SOUND NOW FOR YES MUSIC PEOPLE, the newest addition
to the Cebar catalog, boasts both the open-hearted spontaneous soulful-
ness we’ve come to expect from this dedicated musician (Who Can Love
Who?, The Same Dog, Marv’s Fluttering Guitar, I’m Qualified) and wild-
headed, crazyquilt conjuring (Knock It To Me, Like A Gentleman Oughta,
Spread That Sugar) that feels like a bold contemporary invigoration of the
inviting verities he has always explored. There’s the meaty Hey Hey Honey, a
delightful a capella nod to Alan Lomax and his recording of Norfolk’s Bright
Lights Quartet, a tender tribute to Sierra Leone’s King of Palmwine Music,
S.E. Rogie in his Do Me Justice, and Paul’s glorious homage to guitarist Marv
Tarplin, Smokey Robinson’s right hand man for the last 40 years, Marv’s Flut-
tering Guitar. Add the classic New Orleans swagger of I Got Trouble (replete
with Cebar’s Jessie Hill-inspired tambourine machinations) and the storming
plea for tenderness The Gimp Sparrow (richly reflecting the influence of
Paul’s travels in Cuba, Brazil and Trinidad), and it’s clear that this is a romp of
colossal heart and scope.
The years since the release
of the last studio album have
been spent touring continu-
ally and intensifying the fervor
with which Cebar has always
infused his music. The guitar
tones have taken on an edgier,
more distinctive concision.
Longtime cohort Bob Jennings comes to the fore on organ and horns in his
sneakily apt and piquant less-is-more-ism. Drummer Reggie Bordeaux is
simply a stone joy throughout lifting all and sundry to new heights of funk
and drive. Bassist Patrick Patterson lays it low and mean in a thoroughly
righteous display of bone-deep musicality. Percussionist Romero Beverly
insinuates, articulates and pitches a veritable storm (witness Her New
Church why don’tcha!!).
From the Hot Chocolate meets Latin Playboys skank of How’d You Get Like
That? to the stately Muscle Shoals balladry of I’m Qualified, featuring Nick
Lowe’s brotherly back-up vocals, TOMMOROW SOUND NOW FOR YES MUSIC
PEOPLE is the best batch yet of of an endangered strain of fortified, intensi-
fied, fully jacked-up, roaring and exceedingly personal music-making from a
singular Midwestern master. It may be time for all sorts of things, but it is high
time for Paul Cebar. He has been, is, and will be the real doggone deal.
|
One Little Light On, 2009
Tomorrow Sound Now for YES Music People, 2007 Suchamuch, 2001 The Get-Go, 1997 Upstroke for the Downfolk , 1996 I Can't Dance for You, 1996 That Unhinged Thing, 1993
|