I'm with You in Bloomington, MN

I'm With You
is another solid release from the road-tested, fan-approved vocalist
Delbert McClinton
. At the time of this release,
McClinton
hadn't done a studio effort since 1981's somewhat disappointing
Plain From the Heart
. The gift of
is that
makes it sound like he had been away for ten days rather then almost ten years.
"That's the Way I Feel"
is an effortless
country blues
bop with great, punchy Memphis by way of
Tower of Power
styled horns. Unlike many artists,
wasn't stingy with a good track, and
Jimmy Hall
shows up on the old-fashioned
"Got You on My Mind"
and offers great harmony. Although
has
is good voice and spirits, the tracks tend to run together, and the results don't click during the first listen. The album standout,
"The Real Thing,"
put through the ringer in a good way by a conquest as he bellows the title and the lyrics with glee. The last track,
"My Love Is Burnin',"
extending the album's horny nature with another great vocal.
was co-produced by
and Muscle Shoals stalwart
Barry Beckett
. Rather than trying to replicate
's late-'70s sound,
has subtle touches of the newer commercial and polished
country
of the time mixed with the
soul
is known for. Although many fans may think they've heard this all before and better, this has a way of impressing with repeated plays. ~ Jason Elias