Colin Linden and Luther Dickinson Join Forces For New Takes on Love Songs
When Colin Linden and Luther Dickinson got together for an album of love songs, they recruited a band of angels to help. Dubbed the “The Tennessee Valentines” for the occasion, the group consists of Dominic Davis on bass, drummer Bryan Owings, Fats Kaplin on violin and accordion, and Kevin McKendree (Delbert McClinton) on keyboards.
The idea was to rework classic love songs. But in this case, “classic” has a somewhat different definition than what most love song beholders might attach to it. These are not everyday odes to romance, but a sideways approach in some cases, sidling up to a potential relationship or fighting for a comeback.
Billy Swan, famous for his roller rink rendition of “I Can Help,” is on board not only as an author but as a participant. In 1962, Swan also wrote “Lover Please” for R&B great and former Dominoes and Drifters lead singer Clyde McPhatter. McPhatter’s version is bouncy and squeaky, a plea for a fleeing lover’s return that sounds voiced by an angst-ridden teen whose voice is still changing. The reworked edition with Swan on vocals has a country-flavored zydeco groove with a Chuck Berry choogle. Swan still sounds great harmonizing with Rachael Davis for an Everly Brothers-style vocal blend. Linden and Dickinson were plugged into the same amp for the sessions, and their guitar solos — Linden on electric dobro for most of the tunes — blend seamlessly throughout.
“Don’t Let Go” is another McPhatter tune, written by “Shake Rattle and Roll” author Jesse Stone and covered by McPhatter in 1962. But Roy Hamilton got to it first in 1958, with artists from Jerry Lee Lewis to Mel Tillis to Isaac Hayes covering it afterward. Hamilton bounces along lustily, sounding like he’s about to climax any second. Linden and Dickinson take a more laid-back approach, Linden’s dobro providing a steely, slippery undercurrent while Dickinson provides rocker flourishes for Rachel Davis and Ruby Amanfu’s churchy backing vocals.
Chuck Willis’ 1958 impassioned version of “What Am I Living For” is hard to top, but Amanfu’s sexy, soulful delivery sets the bar even higher for anybody bold enough to try to follow this one. Linden and Dickinson’s guitars bill and coo in the background as McKendree’s organ burbles like a unrepentant backslid sinner in a bar band.
Bo Diddley’s “Dearest Darling” is virtually unrecognizable. Diddley’s tribal beat is missing, replaced by the two guitars providing the percussion, Linden on dobro and vocals sounding like Hank Williams plugged in.
Rachael Davis channels Patsy Cline on “Careless Love,” adding a jazzy splash to the country-flavored fiddle and steel accompaniment.
Amour is great concept with great arrangements, the two guitarists commingling for a project that will prove to be as timeless as its roots.