This, the second CD from Rick Moore &Mr. Lucky, simply reeks of Memphis soul and down-home blues. The CD is filled to the rim with straight-ahead rhythms, melodic hooks, stinging guitar, and Moore's throaty vocals, all melting together to form a smooth, impressive recording. Comparisons can be made to such diverse artists as J.J. Cale, Delbert McClinton, and Little Feat during the first and second listen, but by the third spin, it was obvious that Rick Moore is most assuredly his own man, with his own unique style and Southern accent.
They say 13 is an unlucky number. Not so with Mr. Lucky, whose 13 tracks herein, 11 of which were penned by Moore himself, are all winners.
"Take It Down to Memphis" rocks with some superior saxophone from guest artist Jimmy Hall and scorching slide guitar. And speaking of guests, Moore enlists a few other heavy hitters to add to the mix, including Jack Pearson, Wayne Jackson, and Jimmy Nalls.
Albert King's "I Wanta Get Funky" is one of only two cover tunes on the album, and both it and B.B. King's "Sell My Monkey" are treated to new, almost Southern rock style arrangements at the hand of Moore, who is obviously as good at producing and arranging as he is at guitar and songwriting.
On one of the album's most outstanding tracks, "Dark Before Daylight," Will Rhodarmor blows some of the meanest harp ever committed to disc, and the set opener, "Satisfied Man," is a real barnburner. Hats off to Rick Moore and Mr. Lucky for creating one super-fine blues album that is sure to leave you "satisfied."
© Michael B. Smith /TiVo