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Mastered by Alan Yoshida!
"McClain is the genuine article: a natural, a singer of absolute power and conviction whose every whisper, shout, and moan I implicitly believe. There's not a mediocre track on this disc, let alone a dud. From deep, slow blues such as "Got to Have Your Love" to the wearily powerful "I'm Tired of These Blues," to McClain's cover of Al Green's "I Feel Good," to Carlene Carter's neo-soul "Too Proud," to the gospely title track (with a thrilling break just before the final chorus) and "Don't Turn Back Now," every track could be another singer's end-of-album rave-up... One of the great soul records, Recording of the Month." - Stereophile
"Do not miss this! I wore out my copy playing it over and over." - Michael Fremer, Stereophlie Magazine.
Produced by Joe Harley. Co-Produced by Sam McClain and Lorne Entress. Recorded by Michael C. Ross at Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, California, November 14 and 15, 1992. This XRCD was produced by Akira Taguchi. XRCD Mastered by Alan Yoshida at A&M Mastering Studios, Hollywood, California.
Musicians:
Mighty Sam McClain, vocals
Bruce Katz, piano, Hammond B-3 organ
Kevin Barry, guitar
Michael Rivard, bass
Lorne Entress, drums
Bennie Wallace, tenor sax (5)
Mastered by Alan Yoshida!
2021 Stereophile Magazine Record to Die For!
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."McClain is the genuine article: a natural, a singer of absolute power and conviction whose every whisper, shout, and moan I implicitly believe. There's not a mediocre track on this disc, let alone a dud. From deep, slow blues such as "Got to Have Your Love" to the wearily powerful "I'm Tired of These Blues," to McClain's cover of Al Green's "I Feel Good," to Carlene Carter's neo-soul "Too Proud," to the gospely title track (with a thrilling break just before the final chorus) and "Don't Turn Back Now," every track could be another singer's end-of-album rave-up... One of the great soul records, Recording of the Month." - Stereophile
"Do not miss this! I wore out my copy playing it over and over." - Michael Fremer, Stereophlie Magazine.
Produced by Joe Harley. Co-Produced by Sam McClain and Lorne Entress. Recorded by Michael C. Ross at Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, California, November 14 and 15, 1992. This XRCD was produced by Akira Taguchi. XRCD Mastered by Alan Yoshida at A&M Mastering Studios, Hollywood, California.
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
- XRCD
Mighty Sam McClain, vocals
Bruce Katz, piano, Hammond B-3 organ
Kevin Barry, guitar
Michael Rivard, bass
Lorne Entress, drums
Bennie Wallace, tenor sax (5)