I Like It That Way by Darrell Nulisch (CD, Apr-2000, Severn Records)

Album Features
UPC:	649435000720
Artist:	Darrell Nulisch
Format:	CD
Release Year:	2000
Record Label:	Severn Records
Genre:	Blues

Track Listing
1. You Tore My Playhouse Down
2. Getaway Place
3. After All
4. Love Changes Things
5. Worried Dream
6. I Like Your Style
7. Where My Baby Is
8. Once in a Lifetime Love
9. Mean Old World
10. Trick or Treat

Details
Playing Time:	44 min.
Distributor:	City Hall
Recording Type:	Studio
Recording Mode:	Stereo
SPAR Code:	n/a

Album Notes
Personnel includes: Darrell Nulisch (vocals, harmonica); Jon Moeller (guitar); Scott Silbert (tenor & baritone saxophones); Benjie Porecki (keyboards); Steve Gomes (bass); Robb Stupka (drums); Joe Maher, Jessie Yawn (background vocals).Producers: Darrell Nulisch, David Earl, Steve Gomes.Recorded at My Generation, Somerville, Massachusetts & Omega Studios, Rockville, Maryland.Personnel: Darrell Nulisch (vocals, harmonica); Jon Moeller (guitar); Scott Young (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Scott Silbert (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Chris Walker , Tom Williams (trumpet); John Jensen (trombone); Benjie Porecki (keyboards); Rob Stupka (drums); Alejandro Lucini (percussion); Jesse Yawn, Big Joe Maher (background vocals).Recording information: My Generation, Somerville, MA; Omega Studios, MD.Photographer: Randy Santos.As a vocalist for hire, Texas born Darrell Nulisch has worked with the likes of Otis Grand, Anson Funderburgh, James Cotton, and Ronnie Earl, lending his gritty honeyed voice to a variety of blues styles, however Nulisch's love for Southern R&B of the Bobby Blue Bland/O.V. Wright style is best experienced on his solo albums. On his fourth release, the soul-driven singer/songwriter and under-appreciated harp player dives in and doses out ten stunning tracks of pure rhythm and blues gold. The Stax horns and bubbling organ of the album's opening blast, a cover of Ann Peebles' "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down" (the main protagonist is changed to female with reworked lyrics and an altered title of "You Tore My Playhouse Down") set the stage for this dynamic album. Nulisch's voice yearns and cries, backed by a full soul ensemble that gives the song plenty of breathing room. Like Robert Cray's similar approach on his late '90s releases, Nulisch keeps the predominantly midtempo tunes on a low boil, never overwhelming the material with excess clutter. He even downplays his own harmonica skills, relegating harp solos to only a few tracks. Covers of Otis Redding's "Trick or Treat," Otis Rush's "Mean Old World," B.B. King's "Worried Dream" and Junior Parker's "I Like Your Style" nestle comfortably next to Nulisch's, and longtime co-songwriter and bassist Steve Gomes', compositions. In fact, the pair's originals are often as strong as their classic covers. Not since the heyday of Hi Records in the late '60s has an artist so effectively conveyed the hurt, sorrow and pride that Darrell Nulisch embodies in every song here. He is one of the most expressive singers in his admittedly limited genre, and I Like It That Way is a sumptuous example of his striking talents. ~ Hal Horowitz

Editorial Reviews
...Blends generous doses of soulful horn-oriented R&B with the blues....also distinguishing himself as an accomplished tunesmith....A great follow-up to his solid Severin debut, THE WHOLE TRUTH...
JazzTimes (20000801)