Blues and the Soulful Truth is an album by American jazz vocalist and percussionist Leon Thomas recorded in 1972 and released by the Flying Dutchman label.Jazzlists: Flying Dutchman 10100 series discography, accessed November 18, 2019Both Sides Now: Flying Dutchman Label Discography, accessed November 18, 2019Leon Thomas Select Discography 1: Recordings as a Leader, accessed November 18, 2019
Reception
AllMusic reviewer Thom Jurek stated: "Blues and the Soulful Truth is among the artist's most enduring performances, either as a leader or sideman ... In sum, Blues and the Soulful Truth (Which does echo Oliver Nelson's Blues and the Abstract Truth in vision as well as title), is a tour through the depth and dimension of Thomas' mind-blowing abilities as a singer in a wide range of African American musical traditions, proving at the time, and now again, that he was far more than a free jazz singer. ... This album is a singular achievement, even among the fine recordings in Thomas' own catalogue, and should be considered first by those curious enough to look into his work -- you won't be disappointed no matter what you find, but this one will take you places you never anticipated going".
Track listing All compositions by Leon Thomas except where noted "Let's Go Down to Lucy" (Alfred Ellis, Leon Thomas) – 4:27 "L-O-V-E" – 2:54 "Gypsy Queen" (Gábor Szabó, George David Weiss) – 10:19 "Love Each Other" – 3:16 "Shape Your Mind to Die" (Neal Creque, Leon Thomas) – 5:22 "Boom-Boom-Boom" (John Lee Hooker) – 4:52 "China Doll" (Alfred Ellis, Jesse Kilpatrick, Leon Thomas) – 5:07 "C.C. Rider" (Traditional) – 6:23
Personnel Leon Thomas − vocals, percussion, firecrackers Pee Wee Ellis – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone, piano, organ, coat hangers, marimba, firecrackers, arranger Neal Creque - electric piano, piano John Eckert – trumpet (tracks 1 & 4) Dick Griffin – trombone (tracks 1 & 4) Cecil Payne – baritone saxophone (tracks 1 & 4) Cornell Dupree (tracks 1, 2 & 4), Larry Coryell (tracks 6 & 8) – guitar John Blair - vitar (track 5) Stanley Clarke (track 3), Gordon Edwards (tracks 1, 2 & 4) – electric bass Donald Pate – bass, electric bass (tracks 6 & 8) Bernard Purdie (tracks 1, 2, 4 & 6–8), Jesse Kilpatrick (track 5), Airto Moreira (track 3) – drums Baba Feme – percussion (tracks 5 & 7) Gene Golden – congas (track 3) Lani Groves (track 2 & 4), Carl Hall (tracks 2, 4 & 7), Hilda Harris (track 7), Albertine Robinson (track 7), Tasha Thomas (track 2 & 4) – vocals Lillian Seyfert, Tony May – firecrackers (track 3)
References