Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Lamont Dozier: Black Bach

Picked up this album the other day at Easy Street Records in Seattle.  Lamont Dozier was one of the main songwriters for Motown, who wrote hit songs for Martha & The Vandellas, The Supremes, The Four Tops, and Isley Brothers, among others.  In 1973, Lamont decided to step out on his own and forge a solo career.  Black Bach is his second solo album, and considered by many to be his best.  Pretty ballsy of Lamont to place his head on what looks to be remsembling a Bach bust statue, comparing himself to one of the greatest Classical composers of all-time.  On my first few listens of this item, what impresses me most of all is the song arrangements, which isn't suprising considering Dozier's wonderful arrangements of some of the greatest soul and pop songs ever written.  But he also goes beyond string arrangments.  Banjos, steel guitar, and fiddle, accompany the track, "All Cried Out", probably my favorite track among the intial listenings.  There is somewhat of a country-folk influence on a few tracks, but Dozier's soul shines through.  Here's the track, "All Cried Out":

2 comments:

  1. Dont forget Mckinley Jackson, Gene Page, and Paul Riser did the arrangements

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  2. You are correct. Should have included them on this review :)

    ReplyDelete