Yes, THE Mitch Ryder, he of Detroit Wheels fame, the major influence on artists since the mid-sixties and one of the icons of soul-tinged rock music and an R&B Hall Of Famer (the first white artist).
This is his 21st album and in his own words “Out of the 21 studio albums that I have recorded, this one is in the top two,” considers Ryder, reflecting on a catalogue that began with 1966’s Take A Ride with The Detroit Wheels. “It is one of the most honest albums I’ve ever made. Not that the other ones were lies, but I was able to access previously hidden feelings.”
Produced by Don Was, the music is varied and he touches on many themes having to do with mortality and the human condition – all the songs are autobiographical in nature and written by Ryder. “Everything on the album is autobiographical,” he explains of a tracklisting that plays out with The Artist’s ghostly self-analysis and the joyous-sounding but morbid R&B of Just The Way It Is, exploring the inevitability of life and death. “One Monkey is about my drug addiction and how I overcame it. Fly is about my career and being happy about it, the trajectory and body of work I was able to produce.”
Musically, the album is superb – the musicianship throughout is top quality and Was’s production delivers funky rhythms and many different styles from straight rockers to soul-tinged Southern Blues. Ryders voice is hard in places, showing his experience and age, but he has a wonderful control that really lights up the music.
Opener is ‘Lilli May’, and a sterling way to open the collection indeed.
One personal favourite is ‘Wrong Hands’, a sublime piece of Southern rock with a political edge to the lyrics.
It is a delight to hear Ryder still making great music and the nature of the songs adds to the pleasure.
