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Blues.

Most musicians supporting major headliners remain barely noticed in the shadows. But when keyboardist/singer Mike Finnegan, at just 23 years old, was plucked from anonymity to back Jimi Hendrix on a few songs for ‘Electric Ladyland,’ his future was pretty much guaranteed by virtue of that lone resume entry. It was also one of his first jobs.

What a serendipitous way to begin a career which eventually found Finnigan working with dozens of superstars on hundreds of sessions in the studio and on tour. The list of his work is too long to reproduce here, but it ranges from blues legends Buddy Guy and Keb’ Mo’ to extended stints with Dave Mason, Stephen Stills, Joe Cocker and Bonnie Raitt. He could be considered the American version of Nicky Hopkins, only better because Finnigan also boasted a strikingly soulful, convincing voice.

Despite a few stiff albums under his own name, the keyboard expert was also a longtime member of the Phantom Blues Band, notable for their work with Taj Mahal.

Finnigan expected to release this self-titled solo album (out March 20), adding to a throng of musical accomplishments that lasted six decades, when he succumbed to liver cancer in 2021 at 76. Most of those tunes though were finished when that occurred.

Producer and longtime associate J.J. Blair spearheaded the project, simply titled ‘Mike Finnigan’ after his passing. He brought in Smokey Robinson and Stills to sing on two selections (one, a bluesy cover of “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” was penned by Robinson) and polished off the eleven tracks. Despite the multitude of musicians involved (about 30 are listed), it’s a cohesive, and sadly, final statement.

Finnigan is in terrific, often booming voice, dusting off and recreating obscure R&B gems with gusto, energy and love for the originals. He taps his expert keyboard talents (especially B3 organ) and expressive singing for stirring, often thrilling performances that might have helped him become a frontman if he had lived to see them released.

The opening “20 Years of B.B.King,” co-written and first sung by Curtis Salgado, allows Finnigan to burst out by torching the blues. That obscure song creatively uses King’s lyrics to recount a relationship so awful that the singer “learned more about the blues in two weeks with you than 20 years with B.B. King.” The ever-present Joe Bonamassa, a proud B.B. disciple, articulates leads influenced by Mike Bloomfield as Finnigan, with a wry, wicked glint in his eye, detonates on vocals.

He mines the fertile Curtis Mayfield archives to rescue the wonderful “Fool for You,” adding horns and female singers for a Blood, Sweat, and Tears-styled blowout that bests even the Impressions’ recording. It never hurts to include a Little Feat selection and even though Steve Stills and son Chris share vocals on “All That You Dream,” Finnigan creates swashes of organ enlivening this inspiring take.

But it gets better. A deep dive through Aretha Franklin’s early singles results in “It Ain’t Fair” where Duane Allman famously initially contributed guitar. Finnigan captures its scorching gospel yearning from a male viewpoint (Ben E. King also sang it), enriched again by backing musicians drenched in soul. It sends shivers.

We get some steaming Meters-shaped funk on “My Credit Didn’t Go Through,” a witty sardonically humorous tune that only the most dedicated music fans will remember from Freddie King, let alone its author General Johnson.

Jimmy Johnson’s slow blues “Don’t Answer the Door” features Blair and Josh Sklar on guitars as Finnigan supplies a booming vocal not far from that of Albert King. It shows how powerful and personable a presence he is as a singer and gospel-inflected organist.

The version of Merle Haggard’s “Sing Me Back Home,” about a prisoner’s last wishes before being executed, is a fitting finish. Perhaps Finnigan emotionally reciting “Sing me back home before I die,” understood the end was near. But his soulful croon on the ballad is moving and sensitive, especially for the listener knowing it caps a fruitful career. It’s tough hearing this phenomenal recording, realizing there won’t be any more new music from the amazing Mike Finnigan. But he has left us with a gem.

Thankfully there is this self-titled posthumous album along with plenty of concert video allowing us to retroactively appreciate one of the musical and vocal greats; somebody who never received the popular fame and recognition he deserved.

Tracks:
01 - 20 Years of B.B. King
02 - My Credit Didn't Go Through
03 - Don't Answer the Door
04 - Fool for You
05 - The Way You Do the Things You Do
06 - It Ain't Fair
07 - She's Not Just Another Woman
08 - All That You Dream
09 - Lay Around and Love On You
10 - Let That Liar Alone
11 - Sing Me Back Home

Staat er compleet op, 10% pars mee gepost. Met zeer veel dank aan de originele poster. Laat af en toe eens weten wat je van het album vindt. Altijd leuk, de mening van anderen. Oh ja, MP3 doe ik niet aan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il1EvivhxuY