Tribute To Bobby - Mick Hucknall Album Review

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Album Review

Van Morrison’s a big fan, so is Huckers.

With Simply Red due to disband in 2009, Mick Hucknall finally leaves the mothership with his first solo album.

Robert Calvin Bland aka Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland and Lion Of The Blues was one of soul and R&B’s unsung heroes in the 60s and 70s. Hucknall confessed to being “nervous” about the project and personal odyssey, and well he might be. This solo debut apparently marks the future for Manchester’s very own blue-eyed soul singer as he deviates from his pop legacy for the first time in 25 years. It’s also a commercial gamble, though not exactly an artistic one.

Soul music has always been at the heart of Simply Red’s output, so he’s not exactly treading new territory, but it is a covers album after all.

There’s never ever any doubting that Hucknall has been both a consummate writer and a great singer, arguably Britain’s greatest ever, so now his reputation could be on the line. He may also struggle to take his ‘coffee table’ fanbase with him, though genuine fans might look more favourably on his new venture. Looking at one of his inspirations and idols must have been a daunting task in itself. Unlike his hero, Hucknall has failed to sing with twisted sorrow and pain, and it shows at every level, and sounds like a Simply Red album. Baring in mind the time the originals came out, Bland’s interpretation had a much courser edge, missing here, though Hucknall has brought them up-to-date. Also, the production sounds too slick and smooth for my tastes, and that problem lies with long-time collaborator Andy Wright, though the objective was to put 21st century slant on the standards, avoiding a straight copy. The net outcome has mixed results. A lot more edginess would have transformed the entire album into a possible classic. He does however throw in his typical passion in attempt to maintain the sentiments therein, though singing debut single Poverty must have a tad tricky for a multi-millionaire. Bland began issuing singles in 1951, but Hucknall has gone for his 1957 to 1962 releases starting with Farther Down The Road, which is really SM all over again. Then he skips to two from 1959 – Lead Me On and I’ll Take Care Of You.

The former is sweet enough a ballad, but lacks any southern soul clout.

He fairs better on the latter, where some nifty blues licks make it work and has more authenticity about it. On 1961’s Ain’t That Lovin’ You he’s almost replicated 1999’s top 20 hit Aint’ That A Lot Of Love.

The album hits a major high with Stax-like production and arrangement on I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog, bringing back memories of the Staple Singers. Chains Of Love and I Pity The Fool are a bit wet and lacklustre, though some credibility is restored on lazy ballad Cry, Cry, Cry.

Oddly enough, Hucknall has omitted two of Bland’s better known songs: the sparkling Turn On Your Love Light and his biggest US hit (no.20) Ain’t Nothing You Can Do.

Perhaps they’re left for ‘Tribute To Bobby 2’!

File under: OK, but not great.

Elly Roberts