Artist:     Big Daddy Wilson

Album:     Deep in My Soul

Label:     Ruf

Release Date:     4.19.2019

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Stateside folks may not have heard much from Big Daddy Wilson, who released five albums while living in Europe before the North Carolina native returned home in the past year. The lure of the South proved to be a powerful draw when Wilson began pre-production for an album begun in Memphis and finished at FAME in Muscle Shoals. Guided by esteemed producer Jim Gaines, who assembled some of the best from both places, Wilson delivers an album befitting its title. It would play well alongside just about any classic deep soul album.

Along for support are well-respected in-demand blues guitarist Laura Chavez, who shows up often on Ruf albums. Steady bassist Dave Smith, keyboardist Rick Steff, and drummer Steve Potts are among the notable Memphis musicians. Renowned Muscle Shoals guitarist Will McFarlane joins as does a two-piece horn section and six background vocalists. Wilson wrote or co-wrote ten of the dozen tracks with “Mississippi Me” by Sandy Carroll, producer Gaines’ wife, and the traditional brief closer “Couldn’t Keep It to Myself.”

Wilson grew up poor, quit school at age 16 and eventually joined the U.S. Army, got stationed in Germany, and married a German girl, staying there for 25 years—a different story than Luther Allison, Louisiana Red, and others who started in the US and found more lucrative careers in Europe. Wilson first discovered the blues in Germany and his previous albums typically have an acoustic backing. He notes that, “I was shooting for a soulful, more electric vibe with band on this one.”

As such, you’ll hear funk on “Tripping On You” and reggae inflections on “I Got Plenty.” He opts for the funky wah-wah effects on “Voodoo” but proves he can render the smoldering slow burning blues on “Crazy World.” Wilson’s smooth delivery is along the lines of Eric Bibb or Keb’ Mo’ and he slides just as easily from R&B into blues.  Wilson comments, “Voodoo is about a holy man who don’t believe in voodoo, but this woman got some type of hold of him that he can’t break free from. ‘Hold On to Our Love” is about a mixed couple trying to hold on to their love despite the pressure from this world. “I Know” is when you found the love of your life, everything inside of you tells you that, no doubt about it. So you see—it’s all about love. It’s always about love.” The album is strong throughout with no filler tracks. Others worthy of mention are his emotive “I’m Walking” and the stubborn man’s defiant statement, “Red Head Stepchild.”

Wilson says, “It’s the journey of a man who found himself deep in this beautiful music called the blues and finally, after 25 years, made it back home.” Welcome back, Big Daddy. This is quite a homecoming.

—Jim Hynes