Artist:     WildRoots

Album:     WildRoots Sessions Volume 1

Label:     WildRoots

Release Date:     02.01.2021

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WildRootsBluesman Victor Wainwright first came to fame with the bands Wild Roots and Southern Hospitality, and has gone on to forge an acclaimed path with The Train. Wainwright still plays with his buddies in WildRoots, and this time out gives most of the spotlight to his partner of 16 years, Stephen Dees. Dees (bass and guitar), his multi-instrumentalist and vocalist wife Patricia Ann Dees and Wainwright are the core three in WildRoots. Stephen Dees produced the album, and both he and his wife engineered and arranged it. To say they get lots of help is a vast understatement. The credits here are ridiculous—29 guest musicians in all—comprising both WildRoots alumni and a host of others with gleaming resumes.

Stephen Dees wrote or co-wrote an impressive 14 of these 16 selections, with one cover of Eddie Floyd and one from Lieber & Stoller to round out the mix of blues, soul, and R&B – Memphis style. Dees’ writing is based in typical blues structures and chord progressions we’ve heard a million times, but they are vehicles that provide showcases for the multitudes assembled here. This will get way too tedious if we attempt to list the many players or even the featured artists on each track, as this is a comprehensive, democratic effort to involve all, with many appearing on just one track. Neverthless, notable guests include Michael Shreive (Santana), the late Lucky Peterson and John Oates.

Beginning with Floyd’s “634-5789” we hear the soulful vocals of Patricia Ann Dees paired with Wainwright. She sings again on “Move Along Part 1,” “Easy Chair” and “Bend in the Road.” Wainwright sings on three others, a gritty take on Lieber & Stoller’s “Santa Claus Is Back in Town,” with Beth McKee on the gospel-infused “Cradled in the Bosom of Jerusalem,” and former WildRoots saxophonist Charlie DeChant on the closing “I’m Yours,” the album’s best track (saving the best for last).

Standout tracks include the impassioned vocal from Oates and soulful tenor solo from DeChant on “Our Last Goodbye,” the stripped-down “Easy Chair” with a sensuous vocal from Patricia Ann supported by Stephen Kampa’s harmonica, the old-time swing of “Memphis Queen” featuring Nick Black on vocals and slide guitar, and the ebullient, nostalgic “Misty Morning in New Orleans” with Mark Hodgson on vocals and harmonica.

This is a sumptuous feast where just about every dish is inviting for those who like the throwback sound and seek a variety of styles.

—Jim Hynes