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Relighted is the only way I
can describe Danny Brooks. I remember many years ago when I
first met a young ‘punk’ guy then called Danny Middlebrook,
he was tough and he dealt with all the ‘accessories’ to go
with that term. Then what happens to many in this world when
you can’t go down any lower, he saw the light, a belief in God
that made him the man he is today. Seeing the light for others
is not always a religious thing. Just a few weeks ago Danny
called me because he heard that I was having some problems in
my own life. He talked to me in depth about them and before he
got off the phone he said a long prayer for me, and you know
what, the things that he prayed for have happened. |
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Just maybe, Danny was my
light. That’s the kind of person Danny Brooks
is. But Danny is more
than the man I spoke of above; he is also very talented musician and
songwriter. His latest CD release, produced by keyboard legend
Richard Bell, ”Soulsville – Souled Out ‘n Sanctified” on
HIS House Records with his band the Rockin’ Revelators is
a testimony to his gift and his personal beliefs. He plays acoustic
guitar, harmonica and does all the lead vocals through out this
recording, as well as writing all the songs. Danny has always loved
the Blues and although I wouldn’t call this a Blues album, Danny
singing, writing, and feelings definitely give it a Bluesy edge. The
CD is pretty long by today’s standards of contemporary releases at
just over fifty minutes of rockin’ and souled out thirteen tracks.
Danny’s distinctive raw and soulful voice takes hold of you from the
start of the Blues filled opening title tune, “Soulsville”.
The mood slows down on “Nobody Knows You Like the Lord”
backed acoustic and slide guitar with a back up chorus. “Fence Me
In” tells in part my story above. That tale continues on “Glory
Hallelujah”. After my talk with Danny I believe the words that
the sun is always shinnin’ on the “Other Side of the Cloud”.
An old time country Gospel style is felt on “Lift Me Up”.
With what has happened to Danny in his life you can understand why
he’s “Soul Satisfied”, one of my favourite songs on the CD.
The beat picks up on the piano lead “Standing on the Rock”
which might make you start to wave your arms in the air. The pace
flow drops down on the “You Won’t Show”. The ‘ease my
troubled mind’ theme is the basis for the song “Have Mercy"
which really picks up by the chorus as if I was in a church. You can
caress the comfort in his faith in the lyric of “Comforter of My
Soul”. The old Blues lines ’walk that walk’, ‘talk that talk’
are givin’ a Gospel touch on “Walk That Walk”. The final cut
and partial title track ”Souled Out ‘n Sanctified” puts you
in the spirit to start playing the recording all over again. |
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If your interested
in any type of roots music you have to go see Danny live or pick up
this CD because this is more than just a recording, it’s an
inspiration. The CD release party for “Soulsville, Souled Out ‘n
Sanctified”, with Danny Brooks & the Rockin’ Revelators
will be held at incredible Stone Church venue at 45
Davenport Road at Yonge Street, Sunday January 18th beginning at 7pm. Make sure you are there. Great God
Almighty, I guarantee the nite will make you feel Relighted.
Eddy B
MP3 -
SOUL SATISFIED |
