Lou Bond - 1974 - Lou Bond

Lou Bond

1974 

Lou Bond

01. Lucky Me 4:00

02. Why Must Our Eyes Always Be Turned Backwards 4:48

03. To The Establishment 11:14

04. Let Me Into Your Life 6:28

05. That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be 6:56

06. Come On Snob 8:03

Bass – William Murphy

Drums – Steve Holt, Willie Hall

Guitar – Al McKay

Horns – The Horns Of South Memphis

Organ – Sidney Kirk

Piano – Lester Snell

Strings – The Memphis Symphony Orchestra

Vocals – Lou Bond

I read a rave review of this CD reissue in Mojo Magazine a few months ago and was intrigued enough to order it from Amazon. Hearing the first track, a cover of a Jimmy Webb tune called "Lucky Me," I wasn't that impressed. I thought it sounded like slick, mainstream soul with syrupy strings and a singer that didn't quite cut it. But by the end of that song something struck me in Bond's plaintive vocals and I kept listening. And with each song on this CD, I became more and more entranced, caught up in the feeling in these songs, in the political slant to some of the lyrics, and I became more and more impressed.

Very hard to describe this sound, really. Lou Bond has a very earthy, soulful vocal style, straying into pop and jazz and blues territory at times, before planting himself back firmly in southern soul terrain. I'm still not crazy about some of the string arrangements on these songs. I think if the sound had been more stripped down and funky it would have been even more awesome, but this was recorded back in 1974 and it is what it is. And that's still a mighty fine, honestly moving album that soul fans NEED to hear. Another cover on here, Carly Simon's "That's the Way I Always Heard It Should Be" is positively mind-blowing, and the song following that, "Come On Snob," is possibly the highlight of the album. A brilliant, passionate vocal performance by Lou Bond on that track. Chilling stuff.

This reissue was put out by the Light in the Attic label, the ones who helped to put Rodriquez back on the musical map a few years back. Too bad they couldn't have worked the same magic for Lou Bond while he was alive; sadly, he passed away early in 2013. But this CD counts as his legacy, and it's a mighty good one. Listen up, soak it up, and enjoy!

This incredible artist passed on in 2013 and although he may yet remain unknown to most hopefully his music will be brought to the forefront because the only record he has ever released is a poignant masterpiece. Lou Bond is the epitome of an engaged artist, his self-titled release on Stax subsidiary We Produce touches upon many social causes in a very original way with unique and creative lyrics and vocals.

He brings the earnst hard hitting memphis soul approach with folk sensibilities while trying to reach ”What’s going on ” levels of artistery, relevance and orchestration. The result is a soul opus that will leave no one indifferent. This BBC review really details the context in which the record was created and allows you to hear what Bond was aiming to accomplish.

For me personally, the song To the establishement is the crowning achievement, a timeless song that transcends genres and is sure to touch any listener to the core.

So in rememberance to Lou’s music do yourself a favor and purchase the light in the attic reissue i guarantee the record will occupy a special place in your collection. At the very least listen to this song and spare a thought for a humble artist who left all of his soul on an sublime forgotten treasure of an album.