Delaney & Bonnie was the husband-wife duo of guitarist Delaney Bramlett and singer Bonnie Bramlett, who were major players in the roots-rock scene of the early 1970s, best known for their work with The Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton and Leon Russell. Their overall sound, especially early on, was more soul and rock oriented, but they also brought a subtle country vibe into the mix, which Clapton in particular took to the top of the pop charts. Here's a quick look at their work...
Delaney & Bonnie "The Best Of Delaney & Bonnie" (Atco Records, 1972) (LP)
Delaney & Bonnie "Delaney & Bonnie: Genesis" (GNP Crescendo, 1971) (LP)
This set gathers early solo work by Delaney Bramlett, although a few tracks feature Bonnie as well -- this album actually came out after they'd become famous, so the release date is a little misleading. Worth checking out, though!
Delaney & Bonnie "Home" (Stax Records, 1969) (LP)
(Produced by Bonnie Bramlett, Delaney Bramlett, Donald Dunn, Don Nix & Leon Russell)
The duo's debut, released by the soul-oriented Stax label. This early stuff is more overtly R&B and funk-flavored, with tight horn arrangements and robust rhythmic punch typical of the Stax scene... It was impressive, I suppose, to have these white kids who could dig into the black soul vibe, though if we're being honest, many songs start strong with standard-issue, factory-made Stax arrangements, but wind up meandering and over-reliant on Bonnie Bramlett's emotive blues-soul wailing. They get in the groove easily enough, but don't always seem to know how to shape their tracks into cohesive songs, and seldom come up with a clear ending, instead grooving their way towards one inconclusive fade-out after another... Clearly they were more of a jam band than song sculptors. Not much on this early album for twangfans, though later on they'd get more country.
The Original Delaney & Bonnie & Friends "Accept No Substitute" (Elektra Records, 1969) (LP)
(Produced by Delaney Bramlett & John Haeny)
A persuasive set of funky, soul-drenched, gospel-inflected rock'n'soul, with a major debt to Leon Russell, who helped shape the rich tonality of the arrangements while chiming on on piano and guitar. The Memphis-styled soul riffs are pretty groovy and certainly innovative for the hippie-longhair crowd, although after a while Bonnie Bramlett's blues wailing might get on your nerves... She's got the pipes, but sometimes it sounds like she's cruising on autopilot. Rita Coolidge adds tonal depth as a backup singer, as do organist Bobby Whitlock and the group's modest horn section. Overall, a pretty solid set, with some slinky riffs that might get under your skin. Mostly a soul/R&B set.
Delaney & Bonnie "On Tour With Eric Clapton" (Atco Records, 1970) (LP)
(Produced by Delaney Bramlett, Jimmy Miller, Andy Johns & Glyn Johns)
A live album full of coked-up, propulsive R&B jams that are nakedly imitative of the Ike & Tina Turner revue, with a Muscle Shoals white soul vibe grafted on top of the manic, driving rhythm section. Honesty, I find it all a bit tedious, if not outright monotonous. Mostly it's Eric Clapton and his endless showboating that is so irritating -- to his credit, he figured out how to make himself heard in a large, loud, muddy ensemble, but a lot of his guitar work sounds designed to do just that: to draw attention to himself, rather than move the music along to a more interesting place. Generally speaking, the slower they play, the better it sounds, but even a funky, hook-driven southern rock number like "Coming Home" devolves into repetitive tedium. I know concert albums were a big thing in the 'Seventies, but to my ears they often just underscored the musical bloat of the late hippie era, and the in-the-moment credulousness of the zonked-out audiences. Funky is in the ears of the beholder, I suppose. Of note, though, are some of the destined-for-greater-things supporting musicians, including backing vocals by Rita Coolidge, Dave Mason on rhythm guitar, and Bobby Whitlock on organ and vocals.
Delaney & Bonnie "On Tour With Eric Clapton (Box Set)" (Rhino Records, 2010)
A deluxe-edition, 4-CD boxed set... One disc was more than enough for me, though, thanks.
Delaney & Bonnie "To Bonnie From Delaney" (Atco Records, 1970) (LP)
Delaney & Bonnie "Motel Shot" (Atco Records, 1971) (LP)
(Produced by Delaney Bramlett, Bruce Botnick, Richard Moore & Lewis Peters)
Given the tenor of the times, this was a pretty audacious album, a freewheeling, loose-knit tour of American roots music with almost the entire first side dedicated to gospel material, incorporating both black and white (country) gospel vibes... The opening number is a clattering, halting rendition of "Where The Soul Of Man Never Dies," a great song given a desultory performance, but things pick up as the album progresses. After a trio of "traditional" gospel songs (which actually had known composers) things open up musically on a funky original called "Long Road Ahead," followed by a funereal reading of the Bob Wills oldie, "Faded Love." The showcase number is, obviously, their biggest hit, "Never Ending Song Of Love," a truly sweet love song which became one of the most widely covered songs of the early 'Seventies; it's followed by a similarly satisfying tune, "Sing My Way Home," which has an almost Paul McCartney & Wings-ish feel. Along with band alumni such as Dave Mason, Leon Russell and Bobby Whitlock, these sessions include several high-profile guest performers, notably southern rock pioneer Duane Allman, bluegrass trickster John Hartford and cosmic cowboy Gram Parsons, though the liner notes give no specifics about who played on what tracks. No worries, though: for twangfans, this may be their strongest offering. Recommended.
Delaney & Bonnie "D&B Together" (Columbia Records, 1972) (LP)
