LOU PRIDE
AIN’T NO MORE LOVE IN THIS HOUSE
SEVERN RECORDS 0060
AIN’T NO MORE LOVE IN THIS HOUSE–I DIDN’T TAKE YOUR WOMAN–TAKE IT SLOW–NEVER–SHE BOOM BOOM ME–WE CAN DO WHAT WE WANT–LOVE COME GOT ME–KEY TO THE WORLD–I GOTTA MOVE ON UP–DADDY DON’T YOU WALK SO FAST–HOLDING BACK THE YEARS
Altho perhaps not as well-known nor commercially successful as some of his contemporaries, Lou Pride still had a powerful, soulful voice that commanded your attention. He passed away much too soon in June, 2012, not long after finishing these eleven tracks that comprise his final work, “Ain’t No More Love In This House,” for Severn Records. There are four originals and seven distinctive covers from various genres’ that Lou puts his indelible stamp upon. He’s backed by the Severn “house band,” the core of which consists of Johnny Moeller on guitar, Earl Wilson on rhythm guitar, Benjie Porecki on keys, Steve Gomes on bass, Robb Stupka on drums, and Mark Merella on percussion. The horn section adds that authenticity, and gives this whole set a pure Stax/Hi Records vibe.
No one can make you feel the pain of loss through a break-up quite like Lou Pride, as evidenced by the anguish in his voice on the poignant title cut, and again on the heartstring-tugging chestnut, “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Fast,” one of Lou’s personal favorites.
Lou can set the mood for a little quiet time “behind closed doors,” too. Cuts such as “We Can Do What We Want,” “Key To The World,” and “Take It Slow” all showcase his smooth, seductive phrasing style that has a certain “way” with the ladies. The instrumentation is sophisticated, too, and Lou’s falsettos are pitch-perfect.
We had three favorites, too. Lou gives a funky, gender-reversed read of an Ann Peebles classic, telling “the other man” that “I Didn’t Take Your Woman–you gave her to me” after years of mistreating her. He gets down-and-dirty on one of his originals, the tale of a “Mississippi woman” with a serious mojo and a mean ya-ya, “She Boom Boom Me.” He closes the set with the message of missed opportunities and what might have been in the Mick Hucknall-penned “Holding Back The Years.”
With the passing of George Lou Pride, the line of true “soul men” grows ever shorter. Many thanks to David Earl of Severn Records for bringing “Ain’t No More Love In This House” to fruition, further strengthening Lou’s mighty legacy. Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.
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