DOWNBEAT October 2003

CD Review Darrell Nulisch: Times Like These (Severn 0020)

A quarter-century into his career, the New England-based singer with Texas roots delivers a wonderfully intelligent and enjoyable album that straddles blues and Southern soul music. Nulisch's pure and facile voice shows a special affinity with little celebrated songs from Little Milton, Ray Charles, Junior Parker, Otis Redding and the Temptations. He and bassist Steve Gomes have developed into fine songwriters, with their gently optimistic "Handle It With Care." More than vocals and songwriting account for the music's true depth of feelingÑsavor the horn charts by Jackie Wilson arranger Willie Henderson and the excellent contributions from guitarist Jon Moeller, drummer Robb Stupka, keyboards specialist Benjie Porecki and Gomes.

Frank-John Hadley

This man is a vocalist with one of the warmest, inviting sets of pipes in the business. period. When Darrell Nulisch makes records with his long time band, the results are always a pectacular mix of velvety southern soul and solid Lone Star blues. Times like These might be the group's best document of that mix yet. Like all truly fine music, it has a timeless quality because Nulisch is pure in both his intentins and his executiion. He isn't afraid to eschew anything and everything modern, trusting instead his instincts and the history he so obviously adores. That's a modus operandi that puts a brand-new sheen on an age-old form.

The flgelhorn, for instance, that punctuates the lovely "Handle It With Care" is not something you usually hear these days, but it's absolutely proper for the glrious soul and the virtuous intentions that the song projects. That one, among several written by Nulisch and bass player Steve Gomes, stands out particularly because it's like an old forgotten standard that bursts out new and fresh. Nulisch, a Dallas, Texan, has a particular knack for singing the kind of material that stars like Otis Redding used to make famous. But he's nothing if not versatile. He came up singing with Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets, Mike Morgan and the Crawl and then Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters.

The Funderburgh and Morgan connections are especially evident here in "Something Else", a direct-to-the-point Texas shuffl if there ever was one. He's revered enough these days to command the front lines in the legendary James Cotton's Band.

Field Hollerin' - Tom Clarke - King Biscuit Time - October 2003 Volume 10 issue 5

The blues scene is remarkably prolific, with a surprising number of artists devoting themselves to the great American music form. For every B.B. King or Buddy Guy or Etta James, there are dozens of first-rate performers, many of them with careers measured in decades, plying their trade and making plenty of fine music night after night.

This week we have another example of a journeyman blues singer who has appeared on at least 15 albums since the early 1980s, and who has made probably his best recording yet. Times Like These is the new CD by Darrell Nulisch.

While not exactly endowed with a typical bluesman's name, nevertheless, Darrell Nulisch has impressive credentials. A native of Dallas, Texas, Nulisch established himself in the Lone Star State as a member of Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets through most of the 1980s. In 1987, he moved to New England to perform with Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, with whom he recorded two albums as lead singer for the group. He has also recorded with guitarist Hubert Sumlin and boogie-woogie piano great David Maxwell, as well as leading his own group Texas Heat. In recent times, he has come to be known among blues fans for his work with harmonica legend James Cotton. Times Like These is Nulisch's fifth recording as a leader and it puts him into a setting that's as much soul as straight blues. He is joined by a large backing group, including a prominent horn section that nicely compliments Nulisch's generally laid-back style.

Unlike many blues singers, Nulisch's trademark sound is not so much built on power -- being a screamer or shouter, as they say, but in a decidedly understated style, Nulisch delivers the songs on the CD with a good deal of class. He could be described as much as soul singer as a bluesman. And the material on the CD reflects that, with both the originals and the covers representing both facets. Times Like These is evenly divided between original compositions, most written by Nulisch with bass player Steve Gomes, and old songs originally recorded by artists ranging from Ray Charles to the Temptations.

Nulisch is joined by a tight band, with whom he regularly plays, and who also like the singer and harmonica man, are somewhat understated players. It's the kind of band whose performances add up to more than the sum of the parts. On guitar is Jon Molier, on keyboards is Benji Porecki who has worked in the jazz world, the drummer is Robb Stupka, and Nulisch's composing partner Steve Gomes is on the bass. There is a six-piece horn section heard pretty much throughout the CD, arranged by Willie Henderson, who previously worked with the late Jackie Wilson and Tyrone Davis. For the cover material, Nulisch and company generally keep the feel of the original recordings, while adding their own twist.

The CD begins with one of those remakes, a fairly obscure Little Milton Campbell song called Lonely Man. The full horn section assumes an almost-big-band dimension while Nulisch delivers the song with his combination of soulfulness and blues energy. <<>>

Nulisch's soul side takes center stage on the original song Handle It With Care, a tune that is simultaneously sunny in sound and melancholy in mood. <<>>

Pianist David Maxwell makes an appearance on one of the CD's bluesiest tracks, Something Else. The original song's lyrics are classic blues, while Maxwell's piano adds a great boogie sound. Nulisch is also featured prominently on harmonica. <<>>

From the soul repertoire comes Ashford & Simpson's Running Out, which Nulisch and company give a decidedly Memphis-inflected sound. <<>>

One of the CD highlights among the cover songs is Ray Charles' Snow Is Falling, which both captures the feel of Ray Charles, while allowing Nulisch to give his own vocal spin to the song. <<>>

While Nulisch usually covers more obscure material, he does include a familiar Temptations song that has also been recorded by Bob Marley and by the Rolling Stones. Don't Look Back maintains the soulful sound, with Nulisch putting in a really fine vocal performance on top of he big horn section. <<>>

Among the original songs, the standout is the slow, minor-key blues Good Thing. This is just the sort of material at which Nulisch's understated but plaintive vocal approach really excels. It's also a fine song to begin with. <<>>

Nulisch and company serve up an Otis Redding song, That's a Good Idea, and also put in a strong performance that sums up the CD -- Nulisch is a lot more understated than Otis Redding, while the typical Memphis rhythmic bounce is maintained. It's another strong performance by everyone involved. <<>>

Darrell Nulisch may not exactly be a household name, even among blues fans, but the veteran performer has turned in probably the best album yet in his nearly 25-year recording career. Joined by the large group with horns, the CD shows roughly equal measures of the blues and soul, all marked by his classy, understated vocal approach. It's not the kind album that will hit you over the head with wailing guitar solos or dramatic, impassioned singing, but it is music that will really stand up for the long haul -- music that will sound as good five or ten years from now as it does today.

Our sound quality grade is an "A." The mix is first-rate, with the lead vocals handled with the kind of subtlety that Nulisch puts into his performances, and the overall clarity is commendable.

Some people like their blues blistering hot, while others crave 10-minute guitar solos. That is not Darrell Nulisch's style. His new CD Times Like These delivers blues and soul that ranges from fun songs to plaintive laments, all served up with plenty of class.

The Graham Weekly Album Review #1329

(c) Copyright 2003 George D. Graham. All rights reseved. This review may not be copied to another Web site without written permission.

"The concept of soulfulness transcends both race and age; one doesn't need to be black or old in order to have soul. Case in point is singer /harmonica player Darrell Nulisch. Darrell Nulisch has soul. He's also the model of consistency. Every single CD he's released throughout his long musical career has been as good, or better, than the one before it. His latest, Times Like These, continues this pattern. To put it succinctly, this is an excellent album.

The disc opens with "Lonely Man," an up-tempo Texas blues shuffle, featuring Nulisch's charcoal rich voice, Jon Moeller's tasteful guitar and the solid horn section led by soul veteran Willie Henderson.

The first few notes of cut two, "Handle It With Care," will have you grabbing the liner notes to find out who wrote the original version of what sounds like a classic '60s soul chestnut; instead, this smooth, soulful tune is a Nulisch composition, although it covers the same territory traversed 40 years ago by singers like Arthur Alexander. Benji Porecki's B-3 solo puts the icing on this piece of gourmet cake.

The versatile Nulisch then changes gears to bring forth a mid-tempo Chicago blues, "Something Else," with his hard driving harmonica work and Porecki's delightful piano work.

It's back to more of a soul bag with one of the few covers on Times Like These, as Nulisch and especially the horns give the classic "Don't Look Back" a Tyrone Davis-style treatment. Moeller is then given a starring role on the slow, mournful O.V. Wright-ish original "Good Thing."

Moeller steps into the spotlight again on the Ray Charles seasonal blues, "The Snow Is Falling." If there was a Grammy category for 'Best Blues Guitar Licks on an Independent Recording,' then Moeller would certainly receive a nomination for this one.

Nulisch would sound great on this CD even if he performed every song a capella, but it's the players behind him that really make Times Like These the gem that it is. Still another sterling performance comes on the pleading soul title cut, with Porecki punctuating the song with numerous awesome organ breaks.

The up-tempo "That's A Good Idea" has Nulisch doing more of an Otis Redding thing, with the horns being given plenty of room to get funky. This is another great original number that recalls the style of a bygone era without slavishly recreating it.

That last statement pretty much sums up this great disc. These songs all could have been recorded 35-45 years ago, yet they all sound so fresh and invigorated that Times Like These will undoubtedly rank as of the best of 2003.

Blues Bytes - Bill Mitchell - June 2003

As the original vocalist for Anson Funderburgh's Rockets, Darrell Nulisch was featured on the inaugural release on the late, lamented Black Top label. After a second outing with Anson, Darrell went on to work with Ronnie Earl before releasing a fine disc of his own for the label.

His next outing was called "BlueSoul," a title that summed up his musical philosophy quite succinctly; for a number of years now he's been moving toward a sublime synthesis of the two forms. "Times Like These," Darrell's third release on MarylandÕs Severn Records, sees his vision fully realized.

Darrell's possessed of a fine if not terribly remarkable voice, with just a hint of Texas drawl; but he's unquestionably a superior singer, somehow able to convey a wealth of emotion without the need to resort to histrionics. He's backed here by a fine band; although advance copies don't list credits, I'd be inclined to guess it's the usual suspects, including long-time cohort Johnny Moeller on guitar and label mate Benjie Porecki on keys.

The lack of supporting information also means I can't list song titles with any guarantee of accuracy; but I can say with absolute certainty that the music is indeed a perfect blend of deep soul and Texas-influenced blues, all done with Darrell's usual impeccable taste. Just listen to the gently swaying second cut, and the way the horns and organ alternately accentuate and support each other; or the third track, a greasy Jimmy Reed-style blues where Darrell's thick-toned harp is used sparingly to maximum effect.

Like Darrell's almost laconic singing, arrangements throughout are relaxed, the grooves invariably easy going; that's not by any means to imply a lack of passion, it's just that it's tempered by a restraint that comes only with maturity. Left behind are the mercurial exuberance of youth and its unbridled energy; in their stead, Darrell offers the considered reflections of a hard-earned wisdom and experience.

If it's over-the-top pyrotechnics you're after you'll probably find this a bit on the sleepy side; bluz-rockers needn't apply. But if your tastes run to music that's carefully crafted with intelligence and taste, if you appreciate the merits of a subtle and well-placed accent and can live without blistering barrages of notes . . . if you don't mind equal doses of soul mixed in with the twelve-bars, and can handle a little romance as well . . . well, Darrell's as good as it gets.

An absolutely stellar outing by one of the best singers around. This is one for the ages!

Blues on Stage - John Taylor - May 2003

When we first heard him fronting Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets more than two decades ago, it was quickly clear that Darrell Nulisch had something more in his hip pocket than just his harmonicas; as gritty and resourceful as his playing was on that small yet worthy blues instrument, it was his voice that would spell trouble for just about anyone else choosing to stand in front microphone with a blues band behind them.

Times Like These marks another slice of exceptional work from Nulisch on the Maryland-based Severn label, and along the lines of his previous offerings, it's a grinding and incredibly well crafted recording featuring a mix of sizzling blues, R&B, and blue-eyed soul. One of the things that marks the work of Darrell Nulisch is, that upon listening to him, had he been of age and recording during the Stax era, he'd have easily been placed in the upper echelon with Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, and others, and his voice is perfectly suited to what's included. Little Milton's Lonely Man powers ahead with golden vocals out in front of Jon Moeller's smoldering guitar and a blazing horn section chugging on all cylinders, and the rich and soulful original, Handle It With Care, bubbles along with Benjie Porecki's fine B-3 work and a soft glow from the horns balancing things out. Something Else, another Nulisch-penned item, recalls the Excello offerings of Lightnin' Slim decades ago with great down-home harp, while Don't Look Back is handled with class and aplomb, showing just how much Darrell can push the boundaries and still leave his roots intact. Good Thing is as lowdown as a minor-key blues can get and Moeller steps forward once again with more edge in his concise solo than many would manage in an entire album, and for the Ashford and Simpson nugget, Runnin' Out, the groove steps up and becomes more menacing and deliberate. Ray Charles' The Snow Is Falling is a rippling shuffle where Moeller tosses out chunks of nasty blues guitar ahead, behind, and all around Nulisch's gravel-soaked voice and hands in one his finest moments in a startling pair of twelves that reek of grease.

The title track and Breaking Out are two more stellar examples of Nulisch delivering the goods over a time-tested Southern-soul grinder as well as a throbbing R&B backbeat, and for Otis Redding's That's A Good Idea, everything clicks smoothly. Whether tackling long-lost classics and breathing new life into them, or writing his own finely-tempered material, Darrell Nulisch has an innate ability to make seamless recordings that flow as smooth as warm molasses without any of the artificial sweeteners that mask the true flavors of this veteran. His drive, intensity, and burning passion all appear in Times Like These, and if there's any justice at all, this should garner a few awards when the smoke clears. Hats off to David Maxwell, Robb Stupka, Steve Gomes, and everyone else involved in creating this masterpiece. Due May 27, 2003, but in the meantime, head to www.severnrecords.com for tour dates and loads more.

Craig Ruskey

The line between blues and soul music is probably hazier today than ever before. Marquis blues players like Lucky Peterson and Carl Weathersby have recently incorporated large amounts of soul and funk into both their live acts and recordings. Soul legends like Wilson Pickett and James Brown now share blues festival stages with the likes of B.B. King and Taj Mahal.

While some blues purists protest the soul presence or influence, others welcome what it brings to the musical table, especially in terms of song structure and vocals. No one will argue, however, that it takes a good set of pipes to tackle soul. Conversely, a knock against much of todayÕs blues is that vocal prowess has been replaced by teenage guitar show offs who canÕt carry a tune. What makes someone like Darrell Nulisch so special is his ability to deliver soul-drenched vocals and play blues harp with equal dexterity.

Nulisch, who began his musical career in Dallas, but now lives near Boston, says he owes as much to soul singers Otis Redding, Al Green and O.V. Wright as he does to traditional blues men like Jimmy Reed or Sonny Boy Williamson. A founding member of Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets, he also had early front man stints with Mike Morgan and the Crawl and Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters. His decision to leave the Lone Star State for the eastern seaboard had more to do with geography than any disappointment with the music scene.

"Texas is so big, we could drive an entire day and still not get to the next gig," says Nulisch.

Fortunately for his fans, the move to Massachusetts didnÕt diminish his love of southern blues and soul. His latest recording, I Like It That Way, earned him a ÔBest Soul BluesÕ W.C. Handy nomination. Still, Nulisch remains humble, if not self-effacing. When asked to comment on his often-overlooked harp playing, he laughingly states "I donÕt even compare myself to other players; I play out of self-defense only".

Humility aside, Nulisch canÕt deny the fact that his vocals are so highly regarded that he was asked to sing in James CottonÕs tour band a couple of years back and still performs live with the harp legend whose own voice has been reduced to a whisper. Darrell Nulisch and his band bring their soulful brand of blues to PeterboroughÕs Red Dog tavern on Friday April 12.

The Peterborough Examiner Al Kirkcaldy, contributing writer

Boston-based singer Darrell Nulisch lobs another stick of soul-blues dynamite, this one ignited by the opening "Lonely Man," a Little Milton number that that the ex-Texan makes sound like a lost Bobby Bland diamond. With touches of funky organ, cocktail keys, and elegant horns, this is his most sophisticated disc. Even when heÕs delivering a grinding blues shuffle, like "Something Else," his Southern-accented voice has a way of soaring through notes and adding fine details to his phrases that marks him as one of the countryÕs best blues warblers Ñ with a warmer tone and more relaxed approach than, say, that of fellow blue-eyed soul man Delbert McClinton.

As swinging as ballads like the Stax-flavored "DonÕt Look Back" and "ThatÕs a Good Idea" are, and as much as "Right Here at Home" smacks of classic Memphis soul, the albumÕs centerpiece is the title track. Nulisch has penned a song of hope for the New Depression. "I see so many people lost in a fallen world," he sings. "TheyÕre treading water and going nowhere/And I sit and wonder what can/What can one man do. . . . In times like these itÕs up to each and every man/To take time to try to understand/That love is the only thing/That will surely pull us through." ItÕs a simple but enduring message that wonÕt waver to the beat of war drums or the fall of stock prices.

The Phoenix - TED DROZDOWSKI July 2003

"Nulisch draws a variety of quietly intense emotions from as appetizing a program of originals and covers as a soul-blues singer could ever hope for. Nulisch brings warmth, intimacy and intensity...to this memorable album"

Downbeat

"Pulse Texas-raised singer Darrell Nulisch remains one of the best soul-injected bluesmen around. His gift is the ability to grace every performance with elan, without scarificing the grit that's essential to the music"

Pulse

"One of the most complete works of music to come down the pike in some time...The disc flows so well without one weak cut that its almost like a mood itself...When its over you'll catch yourself saying "Thanks for the lovely evening!"

Blues Connection

"Darrell Nulisch is one hell of a singer - the kind of guy who can twist a note into a teardrop"

The Boston Phoenix

"One of the best sould singers of recent history"

The Courier - Journal Weekend Extra

"It has been a couple of decades since soul sounded as good"

The Toronto Star

"Darrell Nulisch has a career topping disc here...Put this one on your must buy list. Very, very tasty stuff"

Real Blues

"The truth about Darrell Nulisch is that he is one of the most talented singers, harmonica players and songwriters...His songs are expressive and impassioned, filled with emotions and feelings. And he delivers them in an easy unaffected way that is pure listening joy."

Southland Blues

"Darrell Nulisch and his highly original and deeply soulful approach to blues and soul music prove infinitely satisfying"

City

"Nulisch has one of the richest, soulful voices to grace modern blues...Nulisch caresses each word like a fine gift...the 12 cuts featured here are well so done that you'll have a difficult time justifying the removal of this disc from your player"

Jazz and Blues Report

"Darrell Nulisch is one of the most soulful vocalists on the current scene. He's an excellent writer of passionate Southern soul songs and rousing Texas shuffles, and he's a topnotch harmonica player. Throughout the album, Nulisch's warm, world-weary vocals infuse each song with a deeply personal mix of vulnerability and determination."

Blues Revue

"...On his fourth release, the soul-driven singer/songwriter and under-appreciated harp player dives in and does ten stunning tracks of pure rhythm and blues gold. "

All Music Guide

"Darrell Nulisch ... demonstrates that he is one of the most expressive and emotionally rich Blues vocalists around. Nulisch is a smooth, accomplished singer, and the strength of this set lies in his voice and his choice of songs with strong poetic content. I Like It That Way (is) a polished tightly arranged and beautifully performed effort that find favor with many fans of R&B and soul-blues"

Living Blues