Faithful Man

About

<i>Faithful Man</i> sounds like a lost gem from the Stax or Hi Records vaults. And had Lee Fields actually recorded for one of those venerable labels back in 1969, he might have been a star. Instead he flew just below the radar as a lesser-known soul belter who spent years on the chitlin’ circuit and waged multiple comebacks; he thankfully hasn’t changed things much over time. His second release for the fine vintage soul revival label Truth & Soul is a solid showcase for his still-considerable vocal skills. His crack band The Expressions offer gritty yet sophisticated arrangements featuring horns, backup singers, occasional strings, and a mighty rhythm section that complements his deep, rich tone. He pleads and growls through heavy, world-weary ballads of heartache and loss, like “You’re the Kind of Girl,” “Wish You Were Here,” and the gut-busting title track, while his slow-burning cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Moonlight Mile” is an unexpected treat. Like Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley, Fields is an authentic old-school soul man who's survived into the modern age. This is timeless and powerful stuff that never goes out of style.

via Apple Music

The Clerk says

Start your shelf to read the full take →