Lester Winchester McKendree – They Got It All
What’s of interest here is that the musicians, while not top-tier performers in name, have played with major artists as sidemen. The bands Toto & The Hooters were also “sidemen” first. So, the possibility that this trio has something brewing on their own is…good.
The initial sound to those who have heard lots of music is that they’re good musicians, but the performance is lukewarm. OK, they’re not Led Zeppelin, Cream, or the Traveling Wilburys. But the tune “Delaney & the Ditch” has teeth. Sharp teeth. They’re also not afraid to dig & come up with something fresh. Pop-affirmation comes with “They Got It All,” its pop charm once the domain of the melodic genius of The Shoes. Quite excellent.
An instrumental “Surf the Allman Ballroom” has tight playing & drums that sound lifted from a high-fidelity 1962 studio (think Bobby Vee’s “Walkin’ With My Angel”). It’s a fiery piece from this trio that displays their debut chops & not as sidemen. There are 10 dives into why They Got It All (Drops May 29/Times Three Records/29:01) has viable music.
The playing is exceptional, but it is at times drenched in retro stylings. “Baby’s Carburetor” is a typical ‘60s rocker from CA, ala not The Beach Boys or Jan & Dean but The Rip Chords, The Sunrays, Ronnie & the Daytonas. While “Bad Mantras” opens with a Chantay’s “Pipeline” bass line bops in a ‘60s mold & closes with maniac bongos, nice touch. The lead vocals work within the basic sound.
The only weakness is that the lead vocal isn’t always distinctive. Bassist Mark W. Winchester serves the material well but sounds like some past pop-rock singers. However, on “Down The Same Street,” Mark comes across as a possible Velvet Underground singer. He has that Lou Reed pastiche.
The LP was recorded in Franklin, TN & it’s generally creative, loose, fleshed out & dare I say “groovy” as the PR states. The tastiest morsel & Mark’s best vocal comes with “Dylan Ain’t Spillin’” & though the title sounds campy, it’s not. It rocks. The final track is the instrumental “Along With the Sunshine,” & it’s superb. It’s worth hearing.
The reason major artists employed these 3 musicians is evident in their tight playing. They’re accomplished. Have expertise. They’re not The Who, Fleetwood Mac, or The Del Lords – but the songs are indeed fun & they’re good at it. Sidemen are important – they’re like character actors in every movie & this album has character.
Highlights – “Delaney & the Ditch,” “They Got It All,” “Surf the Allman Ballroom,” “Baby’s Carburetor,” “Bad Mantras,” “Down The Same Street,” “Dylan Ain’t Spillin’” & “Along With the Sunshine.”
Musicians – Jimmy Lester (drums), Mark Winchester (bass/lead vocal) & Kevin McKendree (keys).
CD @ https://www.markwwinchester.com/