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]
| This Time Around | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1998 | |||
| Genre | Soul | |||
| Label | Bullseye Blues[1] | |||
| Producer | Willie Mitchell | |||
| Otis Clay chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
editThe 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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| 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. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "You're the One I Choose" | Willie Hutch | 3:50 |
| 2. | "When Hearts Grow Cold" | Richard Smythe Kuebler, Tommy Tate | 3:55 |
| 3. | "You Never Miss Your Water" | Morris Dollison | 4:46 |
| 4. | "Somebody Help" | Tommy Tate | 4:10 |
| 5. | "You Want Me to Do (What You Won't Do)" | Tommy Tate | 3:29 |
| 6. | "Help Me Get Over You" | Archie Turner | 4:00 |
| 7. | "Don't You Know Baby" | Walter Hatchett | 3:40 |
| 8. | "That's How It Is" | Morris Dollison | 3:40 |
| 9. | "This Time Around" | Thomas Bingham, Willie Mitchell | 4:36 |
| 10. | "It's Hard to Love (After a Heartbreak)" | Willie Hutch | 4:34 |
| 11. | "Standing in the Rain" | Thomas Bingham | 4:29 |
| 12. | "City in the Sky" | Charles Chalmer | 5:02 |
| 13. | "I Can Handle It" | Willie Hutch | 3:58 |
References
edit- ^ "Otis Clay Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ "Chicago Bluesman Otis Clay Dead at 73". Chicago Defender. January 9, 2016.
- ^ Guarino, Mark (3 July 1998). "Shaken and stirred: Otis Clay wants to teach the world to feel". Time Out. Daily Herald. p. 4.
- ^ Lozaw, Tristram (April 22, 1998). "Music – Clay may get his due with album this time". Arts & Lifestyle. Boston Herald. p. 44.
- ^ Kot, Greg (3 July 1998). "Vintage Soul: Otis Clay's Earthy, Gritty Voice Speaks of Deep Southern Roots". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 21.
- ^ a b Whiteis, David (October 22, 1998). "Otis Clay". Chicago Reader.
- ^ a b Joyce, Mike (26 June 1998). "Otis Clay: 'This Time Around'". The Washington Post. p. N13.
- ^ "Music Reviews". The Philadelphia Tribune. No. 35. 1 May 1998. p. 10E.
- ^ a b Shuster, Fred (20 Mar 1998). "Sound Check". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L24.
- ^ a b Reilly, Terry (15 May 1998). "CD Reviews". Entertainment Guide. The Age. p. 8.
- ^ a b "This Time Around". AllMusic.
- ^ a b Ellis, Bill (March 21, 1998). "Recordings". The Commercial Appeal. p. C3.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 2. MUZE. p. 405.
- ^ Ferman, Dave (Mar 6, 1998). "Soul". Star Time. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 15.
- ^ Cristiano, Nick (Mar 29, 1998). "Roots". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. F8.
- ^ a b White, Jim (24 May 1998). "Recordings". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. G2.
- ^ "Otis Clay, This Time Around". Esquire. Vol. 129, no. 6. Jun 1998. p. 40.
- ^ Trapp, Roger (2 May 1998). "Jazz: Jazz & Blues". Features. The Independent. p. 39.