The Name Droppers – Let’s Live Together
A no frills collection by veteran New England blues, R&B, soul & purist rock ‘n’ roll purveyors. Operating since the 1980s, this is their 6th album, powered by horns, rollicking piano & enduringly styled arrangements. The 10 sides cut for Let’s Live Together (Dropped June 12/Horizon Music Group/37:43) were produced by Vic Steffens.
The lead vocals are shared among a few members, which keeps the set diversified in its nostalgic style. It’s good dance music since the band never goes nuclear. They prefer to keep it in a tight, manageable groove. It never compromises the spirit & keeps it relatively appealing through its no-showboating refinement. A non-political appeal through its title track “Let’s Live Together” is truthful in intention & decorated with clarity & focus, if not the occasional sax soar. More of Crispin Cioe’s sax would have made it even more vivid.
And that sax honk comes well within reach on “Heartbreak City” & “Talk Dirty” with notes that are reminiscent of ‘60s hits with lots of Mick Kipler sax (The Rockin’ Rebels’ “Wild Weekend”). Remember those days? The tight drums & soulful backup singers sew the groove together with a Muscle Shoals soul tonic. Maybe a thicker bass would add the necessary punch, but the organ is revved up to go & Ron Rifkin’s lead vocal is fully fueled.
While it would be difficult to top Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools,” Simone Brown does an admirable job as she maintains the soulfulness of the tune & adds rockier edginess, well-defined drums & electric piano. It leads the song into a new territory, & this version finds new legs. She takes an ounce of Tina Turner, an ounce of Patti Labelle & adds her own atmospherics & simonizes it.
“Don’t Cry Over Me” is a ballad sung by guitarist Rafe Klein (who has a good growly voice when necessary) & it’s a soulful pastry of a tune. I could imagine Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, or Marvin Gaye in this. It’s well-written, excellently performed by Rafe & powerful in the tradition of the old soul hit machine, with the guitar inspired by Steve Cropper. It works well. Slow it down, it could be a scorching blues.
One of the tightest tunes is “Watch Pocket” with its soaring lead guitar & drummer Bobby T. Torello’s gruff vocals – convincing. Vocals are good on “Mannish Boy,” but it’s too upbeat & oiled. Good harmonica, though.
Highlights – “Let’s Live Together,” “Heartbreak City,” “Chain of Fools,” “Don’t Cry Over Me,” “Talk Dirty,” & “Watch Pocket.”
Musicians – Bobby T. Torello (drums/guitar/lead vocal), Scott Spray (bass), Ron Rifkin (keys/lead vocals/bgv), Simone Brown (lead vocals/bgv) with Crispin Cioe (sax), Tim Dehuff (guitar), Jay Willie (slide guitar), Richard Hunter (harmonica), Kevin Monroe & Devotion Choir (bgv).
CD @ https://www.thenamedroppers.net/