Charles Tiner – Good Soul
Out of the gate, this collection is closer to contemporary blues than traditional blues. Closer to a souped-up B.B. King technique without the deep voice than a Muddy Waters. Chicago’s Charles Tiner (piano/organ/vocals/bgv/keyboards/horn & string arrangements/percussion) does have a soulful thrust. Though “Be A Man” is more production than groove. But track 2’s “Bad Woman” is perfectly rooted in a soulful B.B. King style, not imitated, just reimagined & polished. Tiner dresses the tune in blues finery along with a few ounces of Solomon Burke inflection. The arrangement has no concentrate – it’s filled with real juice & pulp.
So slowly this 12-cut showcase with sparkling lead guitar sprinkled throughout begins to take on the shape of Good Soul (Drops Jan 30/Independent/60:07). More of a ballad with soulful harmonica slices, “Don’t Bau Me Nun,” (translates: “don’t bother me none”) has a Keb ‘Mo country homegrown texture mixed with the deeper shards of Gene McDaniel (“Tower of Strength” “Hundred Pounds of Clay”) with Tiner’s excellent vocals. His pipes resonate with the flames in the hearth; the pinewood walls & the natural degree of a powerful delivery.
Many tracks are typical but have wonderful arrangements & backup vocals. Tiner never faults vocally. Confident, colorful, & authoritative. Despite the B.B. King/Solomon Burke/Gene McDaniels’ tonality, Tiner retains his own identity. The only danger Charles runs into is singing over dramatically. He has the range & good control, but some songs suffer from showboating. It isn’t often, but it’s obvious. Listeners will focus on what acrobatics are applied vocally instead of what Charles is singing. “Peace By the River” is powerful, but it’s Theodore Fisher’s brilliant sax solos that steal the spotlight. “Don’t Let the Devil Ride” now that cooks with fire.
Overall, the songs are tight, entertaining, & always well performed. It’s a pleasant mix of rootsy music, soul always, blues as a spice, balladry, funk & grooviness as an additive. Can anyone do it? Sure. But it must be like the old woman’s hearty soup. Never too much salt, just the right stock, flavoring & consistency. Tiner understands how his music requires sonics, propulsion, & taste in equal measures. Like soup. If he watches & controls the drama, he’ll be in the respective company of Otis Redding, Sam Cooke & Levi Stubbs. He’s got the mojo, the Mutzie & the gutsiness. I like him.
Highlights – “Be A Man,” “Bad Woman,” “Blue Moon,” “Two Wrongs Don’t Make It Right,” & “Don’t Let the Devil Ride.”
Musicians – John Virgin (lead guitar), Clipton Smith & Travis Aldridge (lead & rhythm guitars), Eddie Smith (acoustic, lead & rhythm guitars), Conrad Lee (lead, rhythm & bass guitars/RIP), Charles Fox (bass/upright bass), William Bryant (bass), Ezra Casey (piano), Jamahl Patterson, Mark Sanders, Keagan Cunningham & Mike Wallace (drums), Theodore Fisher (sax/ arrangement), Chris Camp (harmonica/washboard), Sandra Chappel, Regina Stewart-Byrd & Johnetta Jay Williams (bgv).
CD @ CDBaby + Apple & https://www.blues21.com/charles-tiner-good-soul