come to Delbert

Delbert McClinton is a Lubbock Texas boy who made records and enthralled audiences for 50 years before retiring last year.  He’ll turn 83 on November 4^th.  I got to know him when he was a regular on Don Imus’ morning TV show in the 90s, which had grown out of his radio show that stretched to back to the 70s (1).

MSNBC dropped the show in 2007 after Don’s remarks about the “nappy-headed hoes” of the Rutger’s women’s basketball team. He picked up back in radio shortly thereafter and continued on, unchanged. Don died in 2019, a year after Cumulus Media decided to stop paying him the year pervious.  God, how I miss that old bastard.

But this is about Delbert, not Don.  He started as a side man in 1962 and has led his own bands since 1972.  His first album  – ”Victim of Life’s Circumstances” – came out in 1975. He’s put out 20 since, and many more singles, EPs and compilations (4).  No, I don’t have them all.  He’s won 6 Grammys (Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, 1992; Country collaboration with vocals,1993; Contemporary Blues Album, 2002; Contemporary Blues Album, 2006; Male Country Vocal Performance, 2006; Traditional Blues Album, 2020).  He writes most of his stuff and his songs are soulful, sweet, wise, and humorous, always backed by excellent Texas blues and swing.  Delbert plays harp and a little guitar, but relies on his excellent sidemen to set the groove.  And lots of very good people want to play with Delbert.

As I write all this, so many songs come to mind I want to recommend, but let me stick with the album I put on this afternoon that got me to want to post this blog.  This is one I look on as a community service for those who don’t know who Delbert is and/or have never heard his music.  Your life is less than it could be if that’s the case.

“One of the Fortunate Few” is Delbert’s 13^th album, coming out in 1997.  I’m sure he pushed it on Imus.  Curiously, the title is the same as a great song of his which does not happen to be on the album! (5).   It would have to wait 8 years till it showed up as the first track on “Cost of Living”.  The song is a rollicking Cajun number describing challenging girlfriends of the sort I had in St. Louis before I left for Ann Arbor.  Kathy wasn’t near so difficult.

But every song on this album is a gem

Old weakness (coming on strong) (6).  The older we get, the more old girlfriends we have out there.  Sometimes this pops up, one way or another	2:55
Leap Of Faith (7). Sometimes ya gotta go out and just do	3:37
Somebody To Love You (8) Delbert spells out what you need for a good life.  A lover is right up there with jumper cables	4:31
Sending me Angels (9) My treasured song about the heavenly intervention that gave me my Kathy	3:45
Too Much Stuff (10) An anthem for decluttering boomers.  Check out the guest vocalists!	4:14
Monkey Around (11) A man to a woman set to become the simian she’s turned him into	3:09
Lie No Better (12) A retort to a woman who should discard her lies in favor of the truth	4:27
You Were Never Mine (13) A sad song to the partner in a one-sided affair	4:02
Better Off With The Blues (14) A dumped guy wonders if he might be better off now “I still love you baby, but I don’t want you back”.	4:05
Best Of Me (15) He warns a new mate what’s comin’	3:15

I can’t resist recommending a few of Delbert’s other performances

I’m with you (16).  Best song to sing to your girlfriend ever.

I’ve got dreams to remember (17).  A somber reminiscence of a man lost in his past.  A change of pace from his usual upbeat stuff.

Sandy beaches (18).  Delbert’s foray into Jimmy Buffett territory.  The name of this song became the tag for a Caribbean cruise Delbert would run with some of his friend s every year (19).  Aren’t you sorry you’re not gonna be on the boat?  I sure am.

Read me my rights (20). Faced with a breakup, he goes legalistic, soulfully..

Have a little faith in me (21). Many have sung this John Hiatt song, but Delbert’s is especially moving.  Sometimes a man must say this to those around him, and I did.  I still hold it in reserve should I see faith flagging.

When Rita leaves (22). A hard breakup song with automotive desecration

References

1. Imus in the Morning.  Wikepedia.org.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imus_in_the_Morning
2. Ike B. The Kinkster.  WordPress 7/31/21.  https://theviewfromharbal.com/2021/07/31/the-kinkster/
3. Hoffman J.  Don Imus, Controversial Radio Host, Dies at 79.  Vanity Fair 12/28/19.  https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/12/12/don-imus-controversial-radio-host-dies-at-79

4. Delbert Ross McClinton.  Discogs. https://www.discogs.com/artist/439406-Delbert-McClinton

5. Delbert McClinton. Once of the fortunate Few.  YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF_cQ3coetc

6. Delbert McClinton.  Old Weakness (Coming on Strong). YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=775qJBB9Lcs

7. Delbert McClinton.  Leap of Faith. YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB3Vh8UdIPo

8. Delbert McClinton.  Somebody to love you. YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGjreCncFgs

9. DelberMcClinton.  Sending me Angels.  YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcf6Uh0MHMk

10. Delbert McClinton.  Too Much Stuff.  YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3PLjbuTI48

11. Delbert McClinton.  Monkey Around.  YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leN0fUPQLlc

12. Delbert McClinton.   Lie No Better. YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utCEC6hTF6Q

13. Delbert McClinton.  You Were Never Mine. YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5oQocGP8CA

14. Delbert McClinton.  Better off with the Blues. YouTube.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3_TQQNTG9I

15. Delbert McClinton.  Best of Me. YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/resultssearch_query=best+of+me+Delbert+McClinton

16. Delbert McClinton.  I’m with you.  YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TDznwlkLLY

17. Delbert McClinton.  I’ve Got Dreams to Remember. YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnASRB6uIkA.

18. Delbert McClinton.  Sandy Beaches.  YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG_T6LHTPhs

19. (Delbert McClintn & Friends Sandy Beaches Cruise. https://sandybeachescruises.com

20. Delbert McClinton.  Read Me My Rights. YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGz5Ufust5w

21. Delbert McClinton.  Have a Little Faith in Me. YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0660W04CA0k

22. Delbert McClinton.  When Rita Leaves. YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhFQCO0Av8c