William Bell - One Day Closer To Home (2023) Wilbe - Soul (FLAC)

Five seconds into the opening track of veteran soul man William Bell’s 15th & latest studio album, he shouts, “Oh yeah!” That excited exclamation sums up his excited approach to creating timeless music, even at the age of 83, incredible!..... The Memphis born, Atlanta Based singer/songwriter’s new release, back on his own Wilbe label, is his first since the critically acclaimed "This is Where I Live" in 2016 (and reviewed next!) That was on the revived Stax label, the initial home for Bell’s early ’60s classics, “You Don’t Miss Your Water,” “I Forgot to Be Your Lover,” and “Private Number,” & "Happy" among many others. But don’t think because this is on Bell’s tiny indie label it’s not as professionally crafted as any major label recording. He has always hired top notch musicians, typically uses a horn section, and produces a dozen originals (he penned or co-wrote all but one) with a smooth, yet not overly slick shine. Bell knows his groove is in mid tempo, sultry bluesy music, and he generally sticks to that. His voice shows little sign of the deterioration found in many singers his age, although a slight rasp adds authenticity to these intimate found love/lost stories. When he sings "I’m longing for that human touch, let’s make loving great again, or everybody goes to heaven, but nobody wants to die", he obviously believes every word. Anyone who thinks his best songwriting days are in the past just needs to spin the heartbreaking “In a Moment of Weakness,” a love song to someone who rescues the subject (maybe William ?) during the  time, singing "without you I would surely die", with a low boil intensity that sends chills up your back. He gets funky on the title track, stripping down to a tough, swampy, blues attack. It’s a refreshing change from the sweeter ballads that dominate the set and makes a pattern for a full album texuding sweet soul. The same for the rocking “Georgia Peach” that closes the collection with a thumping edge. The album is filled with charmingly crafted gems that sound as pertinent and heartfelt today as in William,s prime. Far from retiring and fading gracefully into his final years, on this new album William Bell seems like he’s just getting warmed up. What a talented legend William is...SUPERB!  

AMM

                                                                      The Tasters!