Danny Brooks
Soulsville - Rock This House
HIS House HHRDB 003
The music of Danny Brooks is an extension of his self-acknowledged mentors Hank Williams, Solomon Burke, Otis Redding,
Taj Mahal, Blind Boys of Alabama and John Lee Hooker. In fact, any of these foot-stomping, hand-clapping, Stax/Muscle
Shoals-rooted songs could have easily been hits for any of those legends. Brooks is a Canadian singer, songwriter, guitarist,
harmonicist who Brownie McGhee once complemented by saying, ‘Son fo' a white boy, you sho' nuff gotta suntan on the inside’.
The sound of Memphis soul comes alive throughout this 55-minute disc. What are its 13 original songs about? Like a loving and
caring parent, Brooks, a former substance abuser, doesn’t want his listeners to make the same mistakes as he has made. The
songs bear inspirational lyrics and some are solidly rooted in Christian theology. As example, the title track is a proclamation of
Brooks’ faith and what it has done for him. The man simply wants to testify about what he has found.
Perhaps due to Brooks’ own life experiences, the songs have a common theme about losing everything and then finding everything.
The best illustration of this can be found on the beautiful ballad “You’ll Find A Way”. Lyrically, the rootsy “Can’t Keep A Good Man
Down For Long” is similar to George Harrison’s “Horse To The Water”. Brooks’ song features a catchy beat, rock ‘n’ soul rhythm,
surging keyboards, soulful lead vocals and the authoritative backing vocals of Amoy Levy. I strongly believe Brooks has a hit on
his hands with “Good Love Is Hard To Find”. The rhythm is moving and the lyrics hit home. The song reveals something we all know
deep inside but seldom take time to recognize. When good music and thought-provoking lyrics come together to create a jubilant song,
it can move you to tears. This is one of those songs.
No single instrument or solo stands out on this second installment in Brooks’ Soulsville Trilogy. It’s the songs, which at times create
a revival atmosphere, and their messages that you’ll remember. Like Souled Out ‘n Sanctified, Rock This House was produced by
Richard Bell, features The Rockin’ Revelators (an amazing group of 15 musicians and vocalists) as Danny’s backing band, and contains
a multi-page liner booklet with photos and song lyrics. The biggest difference is the addition of a punchy horn section. Unlike Delbert
McClinton, Brooks’ vocals aren’t consistently gruff and soulful. At times, they wheeze yet they are always intense. Some listeners may
shy away or even get turned off by some lyrics that reveal a deeply convicted man, e.g., “Down On My Knees”. Yet, after listening to this
CD, you realize you don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. On Rock This House Danny Brooks is all about being part of a solution
instead of a problem.
- Tim Holek -
Southwest Blues CD Review - September 2007
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