Johnny Rawls - Tiger In A Cage (2016)

Johnny Rawls was 2014 Living Blues Male Blues Artist of the Year. He has been nominated for Blues Music Awards Male Soul Artist eight years in a row and won BMA Soul Album of the Year. Soul Brothers by Johnny and Otis Clay was one of the two highest rated blues albums on the 2015 Downbeat Magazine's Best of the Year list. Tiger In A Cage has Curtis Mayfield style social commentary in the title song about 19 year old lives being over once they are sent to prison. There are also several of his good time party songs including a remake of his hit, Red Cadillac, with The Rays. This album is more funk than Rawls' previous releases but still has the old school groove of the master backed by his eight piece studio group, The Rays, with added percussion and background vocals. Like vintage wine or single malt scotch, Johnny Rawls just keeps getting better with age.

TRACKLIST

1. Tiger In A Cage (4:19)
2. Born To The Blues (4:09)
3. Red Cadillac (3:54)
4. Every Woman Needs A Working Man (3:55)
5. Reckless Heart (4:22)
6. Keep It Loose (4:09)
7. Having A Party (4:18)
8. Your Love Is Lifting Me (Higher And Higher) (3:39)
9. Southern Honey (4:11)
10. Lucy (4:14)
11. Beast Of Burden (3:35)
12. I Would Be Nothing (4:16)