Description
Release Year: 2016
Label: ACE Records/Gramofono Sound
Track List
- Tick Tock Tick (Featuring Dr. John and The Womack Brothers)
- Why Do We Get Blue? (Featuring Jimmy Haslip with The Womack Borthers)
- When The Battle Is Over (Featuring Dr. John with The Womack Brothers and Leo Nocentelli)
- Make You Feel My Love (Featuring Bettye Lavette)
- I’m Blue (Featuring The Womack Brothers)
- This California Sun (Featuring The Womack Brothers
- I Can Do Bad By Myself ( Featuring Leo Nocentelli)
- Don’t Go To Strangers (Featuring Jimmy Haslip)
- Treadin’ Water
- Tear It Up (Featuring The Womack Brothers)
- Everything’s Gonna Be Alright (Featuring The Womack Brothers)
Review
Living Blues Feb 2016 (Jon Kleinman)
Songwriter and vocalist Will Porter may be based in San Francisco, but he clearly has a deep love for the soul of Memphis and New Orleans. Tick Tock Tick puts Porter in the company of a large cast of guests and backing musicians, including Bettye LaVette, Jimmy Haslip, and guitarist Leo Nocentelli, among others. His weathered voice and laid-back delivery allow him to hold his own alongside the assembled talent. Credit must be given to arranger and producer Wardell Quezergue for making all the separate moving parts work together – he’s created a sound that’s lush and elaborate, yet firmly rooted in tradition.
New Orleans legend Dr. John is on hand to bring some authentic Crescent City funk to the title track and ‘When The Battle Is Over’. On both tracks, the horns are impeccably arranged and guitarist Todd Duke is in the pocket whether he’s soloing or playing along with the rhythm section. The Porter original ‘Treadin’ Water’ and a cover of Ike Turner’s ‘I’m Blue’ serve up a healthy dose of Memphis soul with just the right amount of grease and hot sauce. The horns and strings create a rich wall of sound, Porter’s restrained and soulful delivery takes cues from masters like Bobby Bland and Little Milton.
For lovers of traditional soul, there’s no greater joy than discovering a young artist who’s keeping the faith. Porter’s easy rapport with fellow musicians and uncanny ability to find a groove make him a talent to watch.
