This Time Around (Otis Clay album)

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This Time Around
Studio album by
Otis Clay
Released1998
GenreSoul
LabelBullseye Blues[1]
ProducerWillie Mitchell
Otis Clay chronology
Hi Masters
(1998) 		This Time Around
(1998) 		The Complete Otis Clay on Hi Records
(2000)

This Time Around is an album by the American musician Otis Clay, released in 1998.[2][3] It was his first studio album in five years, and came about due to a desire to record in Memphis again.[4]

Production[edit]

The album was produced by Willie Mitchell.[5][6] The Memphis Horns and the Hi Rhythm Section contributed to the album; Cash McCall and Preston Shannon added guitar parts.[7][8] Willie Hutch wrote "I Can Handle It" and "You're the One I Choose".[9]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Age[10]
AllMusic[11]
The Commercial Appeal[12]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[13]
Fort Worth Star-Telegram[14]
Los Angeles Daily News[9]
The Philadelphia Inquirer[15]
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette[16]

The Chicago Reader thought that "this is no exercise in nostalgia: swirling strings, horns so choppy and precise they almost sound synthesized, and a serpentine pop-funk melody line all proclaim it a decidedly contemporary soul-blues outing."[6] The Washington Post determined that "Clay reaffirms his lofty place in soul music with a baritone voice that sounds more burnished and persuasive than ever."[7] Esquire deemed it a "slick, hugely enjoyable comeback album."[17]

The Age concluded that Clay "bristles with intensity on the caustic 'Standing in the Rain' and 'City in the Sky', but 'You're the One I Choose' and the easy-listening 'You Want Me To' detract from his natural soul power."[10] The Independent noted that Willie Mitchell "has largely recreated the sound with which he helped Al Green to best Clay first time around."[18] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette opined that "the soulmeister is in fine and mellow form, testifying on breaking hearts, aching hearts and hearts on the mend."[16] The Commercial Appeal argued that "Clay's has been a trustworthy, albeit sad-eyed, voice: the friend who breaks the bad news; the relative who sits you down for a heart to heart."[12]

AllMusic wrote that "the backing musicians all have long pedigrees in Memphis soul music circles, either working at Stax or with producer Mitchell."[11]

Track listing[edit]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."You're the One I Choose"Willie Hutch3:50
2."When Hearts Grow Cold"Richard Smythe Kuebler, Tommy Tate3:55
3."You Never Miss Your Water"Morris Dollison4:46
4."Somebody Help"Tommy Tate4:10
5."You Want Me to Do (What You Won't Do)"Tommy Tate3:29
6."Help Me Get Over You"Archie Turner4:00
7."Don't You Know Baby"Walter Hatchett3:40
8."That's How It Is"Morris Dollison3:40
9."This Time Around"Thomas Bingham, Willie Mitchell4:36
10."It's Hard to Love (After a Heartbreak)"Willie Hutch4:34
11."Standing in the Rain"Thomas Bingham4:29
12."City in the Sky"Charles Chalmer5:02
13."I Can Handle It"Willie Hutch3:58

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Otis Clay Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  2. ^ "Chicago Bluesman Otis Clay Dead at 73". Chicago Defender. January 9, 2016.
  3. ^ Guarino, Mark (3 July 1998). "Shaken and stirred: Otis Clay wants to teach the world to feel". Time Out. Daily Herald. p. 4.
  4. ^ Lozaw, Tristram (April 22, 1998). "Music – Clay may get his due with album this time". Arts & Lifestyle. Boston Herald. p. 44.
  5. ^ Kot, Greg (3 July 1998). "Vintage Soul: Otis Clay's Earthy, Gritty Voice Speaks of Deep Southern Roots". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 21.
  6. ^ a b Whiteis, David (October 22, 1998). "Otis Clay". Chicago Reader.
  7. ^ a b Joyce, Mike (26 June 1998). "Otis Clay: 'This Time Around'". The Washington Post. p. N13.
  8. ^ "Music Reviews". The Philadelphia Tribune. No. 35. 1 May 1998. p. 10E.
  9. ^ a b Shuster, Fred (20 Mar 1998). "Sound Check". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L24.
  10. ^ a b Reilly, Terry (15 May 1998). "CD Reviews". Entertainment Guide. The Age. p. 8.
  11. ^ a b "This Time Around". AllMusic.
  12. ^ a b Ellis, Bill (March 21, 1998). "Recordings". The Commercial Appeal. p. C3.
  13. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 2. MUZE. p. 405.
  14. ^ Ferman, Dave (Mar 6, 1998). "Soul". Star Time. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 15.
  15. ^ Cristiano, Nick (Mar 29, 1998). "Roots". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. F8.
  16. ^ a b White, Jim (24 May 1998). "Recordings". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. G2.
  17. ^ "Otis Clay, This Time Around". Esquire. Vol. 129, no. 6. Jun 1998. p. 40.
  18. ^ Trapp, Roger (2 May 1998). "Jazz: Jazz & Blues". Features. The Independent. p. 39.
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