JIMMY CARPENTER
WALK AWAY
ON SAX/VIZZTONE VTJC 14
CAN’T LET GO–WALK AWAY–WHEN YOU’RE READY–SHE’S NOT YOU–7TH STREET SHUFFLE–NO ONE’S EVER–MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE–HARD TO BE COOL–CRAZY ‘BOUT YOU–C KING BLUES–FAVORITE MUSE–ON THE OUTSIDE–FELLOW TRAVELER
Jimmy Carpenter is one of the hardest-working sax men in New Orleans, playing regularly with Walter “Wolfman” Washington,Mike Zito and the Wheel, and many others. Despite his hectic schedule, he has found time to release his second solo album, entitled “Walk Away.” There are thirteen original cuts that Jimmy describes as coming from a tremendously-fertile writing period in his life. The songs flowed from him based on his passions and overall love of life, and soon the album was completed.
As one might expect, women were a big part of the energy that spawned this set. Check out the leadoff cut, a song about an affair that Jimmy is unable to clearly decide upon, realizing that his love is so strong that he “can’t keep holding on,” but “Can’t Let Go,” either. This one has some sweet guitar from John Fohl, and B-3 from John Gros. Jimmy finds himself trying to move on with a new lover, but keeps running into one big obstacle—“She’s Not You!” “Seventh Street Shuffle” and “C King Blues” are sax-centric instrumentals, and Reba Russell joins in duet vocal on the set closing, poignant tale of winners and losers along love’s highway, “Fellow Traveler.” John Fohl’s tremelo guitar is subtle and fits perfectly over the vocals.
We had two favorites, too. The title cut is a funky shot of R & B that has Jimmy so in love that sometimes he wishes she’d leave just so he can “watch her Walk Away!” “Crazy “Bout You” jumps right out of the speakers at you, full of Clarence Clemons-esque bombast with Jimmy’s sax hittin’ on all 8!!
Jimmy Carpenter would be a busy man just working with other folks. Thankfully, for us fans, he has given us the good times and old-school soul of “Walk Away!” Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.
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