2021 Stereophile Magazine Record to Die For!
Mighty Sam is a rhythm and blues legend who shook up the blues world with this '93 release. By the early 1990's Sam networked his way to New England through his participation in the "Hubert Sumlin Blues Party" project (produced by Hammond Scott on Black Top), which involved many Boston based musicians. These friends provided encouragement and collaborations, which led to Joe Harley and AudioQuest Music. The results were the successful releases, "Give It Up To Love" and "Keep On Movin". Rhythm & Blues legend Mighty Sam McClain's first release for AQM received every possible accolade including Pulse! Magazine's Blues Album of the Year for 1993.
Mighty Sam McClain continues to perform nationally and internationally. It's full steam ahead for this great vocalist! "The Soul of America" is what he is called in Europe - he is, just as his lyrics describe, "I'm a singer, a man with a song, and I've got a message for you."
"Give it up to love is the R&B comeback of the year." - Rolling Stone
"Mighty Sam McClain's Give it up to love is one of the great soul records." - Stereophile
"McClain sings soul with incredible power -- he knows when to pull the punches and when to cool it down. 'Give It Up to Love,' the title track, acknowledges his gospel roots; he performs it as a vocal prayer to God asking for wisdom, love, and strength. Bruce Katz's contributions on B-3 Hammond organ expands McClain's sound, particularly on the 'Green Onions'-influenced 'What You Want Me to Do.' The sparsely effective arrangement on 'Here I Go Falling in Love Again' brings McClain up front as he cries of being a soul stripped to the bare bones. Kevin Barry's funky bass blows while McClain declares himself as a child of God in 'Child of the Mighty Mighty.'" - Char Ham, allmusic.com
Give It Up To Love has been one of my all-time faves since its release in 1993. Producer Joe Harley correctly identified red-clay R&B vocalist Sam McClain as someone whose musical career was due for a new act. The album continues to be an audiophile go-to. The sound was already standard-setting, whatever the format, thanks to engineer Michael C. Ross's superb 'get.' I can pretty much tell within moments how my system is sounding by hearing a few beats of Mighty Sam's vocals and listening to guitarist Kevin Barry sliding over the frets at the top of 'What You Want Me to Do.'Features:
• Super Audio CD
• SACD Stereo SACD Layer
• This Hybrid SACD contains a 'Red Book' Stereo CD Layer which is playable on most conventional CD Players!
Selections:
1. Give It Up To Love
2. Too Proud
3. What You Want Me To Do
4. Here I Go Falling In Love Again
5. Got To Have Your Love
6. Child Of The Mighty Mighty
7. I'm Tired Of These Blues
8. I Feel Good
9. Love Me If You Want To
10. Don't Turn Back Now
11. Lonesome Road
