Stormy Monday

Artist: Lou Rawls

Number of Discs: 1

Total time: 45:34
Label: Blue Note
Availability: In stock
Item #: 5162578

Available in U.S. only. Cover art displayed on website may vary from product shipped. Please see printed catalog for accurate cover art.

List Price: $16.99
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Review

Lou Rawls has had a long and commercially successful career mostly singing soul, R&B, and pop music. Originally a gospel singer, Rawls' first album as a leader features him performing soulful standards backed by the Les McCann Trio. Few of the songs have been under-recorded through the years, but they sound fresh and lively when sung by Rawls; highlights include "Stormy Monday," "In the Evening," and "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water." Pianist McCann gets a generous amount of solo space, and the reissue has three bonus tracks. This is still Rawls' definitive recording in the jazz idiom, cut before he went on to more lucrative areas. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Read About This Recording

Lou Rawls has recorded frequently during his 40-year career, displaying his deep and appealing baritone voice on many R&B and pop hits through the years. However, his background is in blues and jazz, an area that he has returned to in recent times, still sounding very much in his musical prime today.

Stormy Monday from 1962 is one of Lou Rawls' classic albums and, in fact, was his very first recording. Rawls is assisted by Les McCann (one of the top soul jazz pianists), bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Ron Jefferson on a variety of blues-oriented songs. The material is perfect for Rawls, particularly such numbers as Stormy Monday, See See Rider, In The Evening, I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water and Tain't Nobody's Biz-ness If I Do. Many of these songs are still being sung by Rawls today, so it is quite enjoyable to hear his earliest versions. Three bonus tracks (including an alternate take of Stormy Monday) expand the original program; there are many high-quality McCann piano solos sprinkled throughout the set and the singer has rarely sounded better. Essential music, this is still Lou Rawls' strongest jazz recording.

-Scott Yanow

Product Info

Cover art displayed on website may vary from product shipped. Please see printed catalog for accurate cover art.

(They Call It) Stormy Monday; God Bless The Child; See See Rider; Willow Weep For Me; I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts of Town; In The Evening When The Sun Goes Down; 'Tain't Nobody's Biz-Ness If I Do; Lost And Lookin'; I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water; Sweet Lover; Blues Is A Woman; A Little Les of Lou's Blues; (They Call It) Stormy Monday.

Les McCann, Piano; Leroy Vinnegar, Bass; Ron Jefferson, Drums.

Tracks + Soundclips

Stormy Monday
	1. (They Call It) Stormy Monday	3:45
	2. God Bless the Child	4:30
	3. See See Rider	3:11
	4. Willow Weep for Me	5:57
	5. I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town	4:00
	6. In the Evening (When the Sun Goes Down)	3:28
	7. 'Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do	2:45
	8. Lost and Lookin'	3:12
	9. I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water	3:55
	10. Sweet Lover	3:08
	11. Blues Is a Woman [*]	2:58
	12. Little Les of Lou's Blues [*]	2:23
	13. (They Call It) Stormy Monday [Alternate Take][*]	2:58