Quintus McCormick

Put It On Me!

Delmark Records

By Brian K. Read

Quintus McCormick may have become a blues songwriter a bit later than most, but at 51, he is putting together some powerful music, and his second CD on Delmark records, Put It On Me! puts him in the spotlight with a one two punch.  It’s a left jab, with the seasoned sounds of traditional blues, along with a right hook of soul, for a hands-down knockout of a recording!

Quintus came to Chicago after perfecting his chops in Detroit, where he surely absorbed some Motown into his sound, along with a whole lot of soul too.  After a classic Jimmy Reed-inspired opening track, “You Just Using Me,” the soul sounds kick in, with a tasty bass line courtesy of Vic Jackson.  “Talk Baby,” is a bouncing groove replete with horn stabs and the smooth keyboard stylings of John Chorney.

Drummer Jeremiah Thomas nails down a wide assortment of blues and soul rhythms, and together, the band allows Quintus to show off his remarkable vocal range, from the jazzy “How Quick We Forget,” to lump-de-lumps like “I Got It Babe.”

Sometimes when blues artists try to salt in some extra chords to the I-IV-V progression, the results can be pretty muddy.  But Quintus and his band ride right on through with some fine arrangements, adding new twists and a few extra triads, without losing the true blues feel.

The nod goes to Z.Z. Hill for the sound of “The Blues Has Been Good To Me.” Quintus recounts the ups and downs of a blues career, with more than a just a little touch of irony.   Mix in some nice ice cream changes on the next track, “Loveland,” and we are all set up for the gritty post-party lament “Don’t Know What To Do.”   This is one CD that should be listened to old-school, like an LP record, track to track, as the order of the tunes really stacks well.

The syncopated title track is a deceptively simple little groove, reminiscent of the dancing blues sound made famous by Willie Dixon.   The next track, “Sadie,” charges into funky territory, with lots of crunchy guitar, and it gives Jon Chorney room to show off his chops on piano too.   And what better way to say “thank you” at the end, than with a little gospel sound on “Hallelujah.”   Amen!

As the old saying goes, “Youth is wasted on the young.”  Quintus really proves that age is just a number, and even with a bit of a late start, his sound has more energy and genuine feeling than many other blues artists half his age.  He brings a full-grown vocal sound, and a guitar that can blaze one minute, then turn sweet the next.

This is one CD that really puts it all together, laying down one sweet groove after another. If you like your blues with a generous helping of soul, then Quintus McCormick delivers a full plate, and all the trimmings, with Put It On Me!

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