Reese Wynans & Friends, “Sweet Release” (J&R Adventures)
With a career going back to the 1960s, keyboard player Reese Wynans is probably best known for his time recording and touring with Stevie Ray Vaughan.
So it’s not surprising that “Sweet Release,” Wynans’ first solo album, is heavy on the SRV connections, including appearances by the Double Trouble tandem of drummer Chris Layton and bass player Tommy Shannon on several takes of the Texan guitarist’s tunes, like “Say What!” and “Riviera Paradise.”
In fact, the album is enriched by a long list of distinguished six-string masters, such as Warren Haynes, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Doyle Bramhall II, Josh Smith, Keb’ Mo’ and Jack Pearson. They all seem to make Wynans feel right at home and his piano and organ playing bursts with energy and taste.
Produced by Joe Bonamassa, who’s had Wynans on his own records for years, the album abounds with astonishing performances.
Sam Moore, half of Sam & Dave, sings SRV classic “Crossfire” with a passion like he’s the one ducking bullets, while the title track, a tune from Boz Scaggs’ 1969 legendary Atlantic Records debut, has eight lead vocalists — including Haynes, Bonnie Bramlett, Vince Gill and Mo’ — but veers far from ever sounding like an over-wrought charity song.
Mo’ and Wynans duet on “I’ve Got a Right to Be Blue,” sounding like Robert Johnson contemporaries; Haynes assumes command on Les Dudek’s “Take the Time” like he’s running out of it; and Wynans’ instrumental prowess elevates the funky “Soul Island.”
Still, with so many guests, Wynans knows how to shine within the ensemble, flashing his flair without unnecessary glare. When he is alone, as on the last track, a piano cover of Paul McCartney’s “Blackbird,” Wynans’ brilliance is beautifully clear.
Track Listing:
Crossfire
Say What
That Driving Beat
You’re Killing My Love
Sweet Release
Shape I’m In
Hard To Be
Riviera Paradise
Take The Time
So Much Trouble
I’ve Got The Right To Be Blue
Soul Island
Blackbird
Special Guests and Musician Credits:
Crossfire:
Reese Wynans -Keyboards
Sam Moore- Vocals
Chris Layton- Drums
Tommy Shannon- Bass
Kenny Wayne Shepherd- Guitars
Jack Pearson – Guitar
The Texacali Horns:
Darrell Leonard- Trumpet
Joe Sublett- Saxophone
Say What!:
Reese Wynans- Keyboards
Chris Layton- Drums
Tommy Shannon- Bass
Kenny Wayne Shepherd- Guitar
That Driving Beat:
Reese Wynans- Keyboards
Greg Morrow- Drums
Michael Rhodes- Bass
Mike Farris- Lead Vocals
Paulie Cerra- Lead Vocals & Saxophone
Josh Smith- Guitar
Jack Pearson- Guitar
You’re Killing My Love:
Reese Wynans- Keyboards
Lamar Carter- Drums
Travis Carlton- Bass
Doyle Bramhall II- Lead Vocals & Lead Guitar
Josh Smith- Guitar
Lee Thornburg- Trumpet
Paulie Cerra- Saxophone & Arrangement
Mahalia Barnes- Vocals
Jade MacRae- Vocals
Juanita Tippins- Vocals
Sweet Release:
Reese Wynans- Keyboards
Greg Morrow- Drums
Michael Rhodes- Bass
Joe Bonamassa- Guitar
Josh Smith- Guitar
Mahalia Barnes- Choir
Jade MacRae- Choir
Juanita Tippins- Choir
Paulie Cerra- Horns and Arrangement
Lee Thornburg- Horns
Lead Vocals in order:
Paulie Cerra
Keb’ Mo’
Mike Farris
Jimmy Hall
Bonnie Bramlett
Vince Gill
Warren Haynes
Paulie Cerra
Shape I’m in:
Reese Wynans- Keyboards
Chris Layton- Drums
Tommy Shannon- Bass
Kenny Wayne Shepherd- Lead Guitar & Vocals
Noah Hunt- Lead Vocals
Josh Smith- Guitar
Jack Pearson- Guitar
Steve Mackie- Additional Bass
Hard To Be:
Reese Wynans- Keyboards
Bonnie Bramlett- Lead Vocals
Jimmy Hall- Lead Vocals
Greg Morrow- Drums
Michael Rhodes- Bass
Josh Smith- Guitar
Joe Bonamassa- Baritone Guitar
Jack Pearson- Guitar
Lee Thornburg- Horns
Paulie Cerra- Horns and arrangement
Riviera Paradise
Reese Wynans- Keyboards
Chris Layton- Drums
Tommy Shannon- Bass
Steve Mackie- Fretless Bass
Kenny Wayne Shepherd- Guitars, Solo 1
Joe Bonamassa- Guitars, Solo 2
Jack Pearson- Guitar
Jeff Bova Orchestrations
Take The Time:
Reese Wynans- Keyboards
Greg Morrow- Drums
Michael Rhodes- Bass
Warren Haynes Lead Guitar & Lead Vocals
Joe Bonamassa- Guitar
Mahalia Barnes- Vocals
Jade MacRae- Vocals
Juanita Tippins- Vocals
So Much Trouble
Reese Wynans- Keyboards
Greg Morrow- Drums
Michael Rhodes- Bass
Joe Bonamassa- Lead Guitar & Lead Vocals
Jack Pearson- Guitar
Mike Henderson- Harmonica
I’ve Got A Right To Be Blue
Reese Wynans- Keyboards
Keb’ Mo’- Guitar & Lead Vocals
Soul Island
Reese Wynans- Keyboards
Lamar Carter- Drums
Travis Carlton- Bass
Josh Smith- Lead Guitar
Jack Pearson- Guitar
Paulie Cerra- Saxophone
Blackbird
Reese Wynans- Grand Piano
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