© Bluestronomical Publishing Inc. 2007

Rocking The Boat
A Musical Conversation & Journey

Storyteller, Song Crafter and Musical Ringmaster...
There's lots of ways to describe Delbert McClinton. Born in 1940 in Lubbock to a railroad switchman and a beautician, the family moved to Fort Worth when Delbert was 11. By 17 he was playing the honky tonks up and down Cowtown's infamous Jacksboro Highway. McClinton's band was the only white act to play the legendary Skyliner Ballroom on Blue Monday nights and as a result became the backing band for the headliners including Jimmy Reed, Howlin' Wolf and Sonny Boy Williamson. McClinton was an attentive student for these masters of the blues, watching and learning from them, each adding their influence to his own evolving style.

About the only thing you can't say about his almost 50 years on stage is that it's been smooth sailing. Every label he recorded for between 1971 and 1981 went out of business. The IRS hit him with a $280,000 bill for a disallowed tax shelter his accountant got him into. At the time he was making about $18,000 a year. But leave it to Delbert and his indomitable spirit. He's managed to turn it into a cruise.

The movie Rocking the Boat by Jay Curlee is part McClinton biography and part documentary of the now legendary cruises he's put together every year since 1993. Curlee and his crew masterfully stay out of the way of the musicians and the cruisers, so you don't feel like you are watching a movie, but get a real sense of the shows themselves.

Delbert's criteria for the musicians is that they 'Plug in, play and blow your socks off'. And his picks to play the 12th cruise filmed for the movie are as captivating and eclectic as McClinton and his cruise band (including Fort Worth legend Lewis Stephens): Rodney Crowell, Teresa James, Mingo Fishtrap, Jimmy Hall, Jeff Steele, Al Anderson. There are even a couple of perfectly timed quips from Kinky Friedman.

Everyone gives stellar performances, but there are some that are absolutely dazzling. Stephen Bruton not only shines on "Right On Time" but also narrates the CD, and recounts a hilarious tale of early life on the road with Delbert involving 'day drunks', a heavy rain and an even heavier upright piano. Tommy Castro rocks and grooves on "Wake Up Call". Marcia Ball delivers two gems with "Louisiana 1927" and "Let Me Play With Your Poodle" featuring a searing solo from local blues guitarist Pat Boyack. Wayne Toups is at the peak of his zany glory on "Please Explain" and Paul Thorn sparks the night sky with the totally captivating "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand" about a black preacher who still loves The Lord, but gives up his Church ministry to sell fireworks from a tent on the roadside.

Americana is a phrase often used for these artists - powerful, creative and original but not easily labeled by commercial radio, so sadly often ignored by mainstream America. But when you think about it, Americana is an apt depiction of artists such as McClinton who are what our musical heritage is really all about - defying classification while practicing their craft influenced by every musical genre that touches them: Blues, Country, Rock, Soul, Zydeco.

Rocking The Boat will do a couple of things for you. It will introduce you to at least one of your new favorite artists, and it will give you a greater appreciation for Delbert McClinton and his personal musical journey.
And it will damn well make you want to immediately book yourself on the next Delbert McClinton Sandy Beaches Cruise.

- Blue Lisa -


Southwest Blues DVD Review - May 2007

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