Rex Carroll

Item: The Rex Carroll Sessions
Author: Ed Rock

The Rex Carroll Sessions

(1995)

Reviewed by Ed Rock

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Label Star Song RecordsThe LighthouseSeptember 1995

blues rock roots rock soul

"People who know me are going to be surprised by this album." Carroll's comment is a pretty good place to jump off of in discussion of The Rex Carroll Sessions. It's certainly not the kind of album one would expect from the guy who played all those crunching guitars for Whitecross and King James.

Carroll is right, but the surprise is far from unpleasant. As he puts it, this album "...represents a closet personality that's been waiting to exist for about six years." The sound is comfortable, like old jeans-roots rock with a taste of Memphis soul, not unlike Big Tent Revival and Eddie Degarmo's Feels Good To Be Forgiven mixed with healthy doses of Eric Clapton and John Mellencamp. There's even a touch of the U2-B.B. King feel on "If You Know About Love."

With the sheer number of musicians on this album, I wondered if they could pull the project off without it sounding like a compilation. Amazingly, The Rex Carroll Sessions manages to blend the already impressive talents of Jimmy A, Ashley Cleveland, Jackie Street, Phil Keaggy, Aaron Smith, Phil Madiera, Aaron Benward, Tim & Nicole Smith and a pinch of Dave Perkins into one cohesive and fun project. I was especially impressed with Nicole Smith's vocal prowess. Several times I mistook her for Ashley Cleveland-and that's saying quite a bit. Producer Phil Madiera is quite visible throughout as well, with lots of smokin' organ work and even some soulful horns.

The star-studded cast does not mean that it is an artist showcase. The project has the feel of a bunch of people sitting around his basement in a casual jam session. No one is overpowering anyone else and it has a warm, intimate vibe.

Lyrically, this project should please folks who are turned off by vague references to things of faith. It speaks of assurance in "Anytime," "Gonna Be There," "Hands Of God," and "Awful Good." "Invitational Blues" and "What You Don't Know Can Hurt You" reveal the gospel in a fun and soulful way. The remake of the Rare Earth classic, "I Just Want To Celebrate," is coupled with a Kituba version of "Jesus Loves You" to make a joyful, thankful climax to the album.

The Rex Carroll Sessions provides a creative outlet for Carroll, and will no doubt please his old fans who occasionally like to mellow a bit. It should snare him quite a few new fans as well.