Cupcakes & Muffins re-release The Mercy Brothers album; Barrence Whitfield and Michael Dinallo join together in a musical journey of discovery, and it sounds spectacular.
We are not used to 23-year anniversaries; they come around but are passed over for those ones divisible by five. Reissue specialist label Cupcakes & Muffins have pulled this one out of the vaults and allowed The Mercy Brothers a well-earned escapade 23 years after the original Gibraltar Records release. Cupcakes & Muffins are an independent record label specialising in rare reissues, overlooked recordings, jazz and roots. They didn’t want AUK and essentially our readers to miss this sweet treat.
The Mercy Brothers are singer Barrence Whitfield and talented guitarist Michael Dinallo. Whitfield originally fronted a band called Barrence Whitfield & the Savages, playing high-intensity rock & roll and rhythm and blues. His brand of energetic R&B was admired by some of the industry’s royalty. Robert Plant cited Whitfield as one of his favourite artists. Elvis Costello has often commented on the exciting Whitfield roots-rock delivery, taking that energy into his performances, and Los Lobos claiming their work has Whitfield’s influence stamped all across it. On Strange Adventure, you can hear a little bit of all those artists, with possibly the inspiration coming full circle. This is not a 100mph whirlwind of a Barrence Whitfield & the Savages recording. Joining with guitarist Michael Dinallo has tempered that raw energy somewhat, and on Strange Adventure the songs give Whitfield’s voice another, no less pleasing, outlet. There is no loss of power and emotion in the delivery, and it is no surprise that his voice has been likened to Little Richard and Solomon Burke. Also well worth checking out are his wonderful collaborations with award-winning American songwriter Tom Russell, including the album Hillbilly Voodoo and the impressive Cowboy Mambo. As a fun aside, Whitfield was born Barry White in Jacksonville, Florida. His voice is nothing like the other Barry White, although with his vocal range I am sure his “Hey baby” would be just as charismatic as his namesake.
Dinallo’s roots lie firmly in americana and folk. Born in Ohio, he saw Elvis Presley perform when he was five, and he considered this a life-changing moment. Influenced by jazz and B.B King, he learned to play the guitar and practised by mimicking his heroes. Dinallo studied big band arranging at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, and became a mainstay of the local jazz scene. On the face of it, the forming of The Mercy Brothers with Whitfield may not appear obvious, but with Dinallo’s love of roots music added to Whitfield’s soulful voice, there were endless possibilities. The result is the aptly titled Strange Adventure.
The guitar playing is excellent through the complete set. Varied styles keep things interesting, giving a fine blend of americana, with soul and a healthy chunk of gospel. Harmonica plays a major part throughout, particularly in the steady shuffle of Broke Down Engine, which feels like a train slowly coming into the station. Dinallo’s bluesy guitar fits perfectly as Whitfield’s soulful voice takes us home singing “Feel like a broke down engine”. The gospel-inspired Down That Road is possibly the closest you get to a Savages style number. Whitfield pulls out all the stops as he channels everything into the delivery like an evangelistic preacher. You can almost feel the perspiration oozing from the speakers.
Dinallo brings a smattering of honky tonk to the suite on I Believe I’ll Make A Change. The solo at the bridge is striking as he drives the tune along. Arguably the standout moment is another train-inspired song, Night Train To Memphis. It is a marvellous R&B, rootsy rocker, again with Tim Taylor supplying harmonica. After arriving at Memphis, you are then welcome aboard the Misery Train. This is not anything like the title suggests, as we rattle across the country “right on time“. Dinallo again provides epic guitar accompaniment with vocal encouragement from Whitfield “riding shotgun all the way“. The final track, Mr Johnson, is a nod towards the blues and is a slow-building track rising to a fabulous crescendo. Guitar takes us to the end with driving drums courtesy of Boston’s Andy Plaisted.
It is a collaboration that delivers and a collection well worth reissuing. The re-release is completely as the original and doesn’t include any additional material, such as extra tracks, live recordings, or demos, but stands alone as the duo intended. A strange adventure indeed, but one you will want to visit and get lost in for a while.
