Nulisch delievers the soul

Reviewed December 2009

Starting an apprenticeship in Texas blues bands in the late '70s, Darrell Nulisch honed his craft as a harp player and singer for several road-house style blues bands, including Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets and Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, for whom he was the voice of the great 1990 album "Peace of Mind."

He has since been busy as a solo artist, producing a lot of soul music and occasionally returning to his blues and harp roots, like on 2007's "Goin' Back to Dallas." He is back with a new one, "Just For You," that is firmly rooted in his favorite territory: soul singing.

This disc features the Severn Studios production crew and house band that give the music a modern, Maryland update on the Memphis soul sound; special credit to bassist/co-producer Steve Gomes, who co-wrote the six originals with Nulisch. Helping out is guitarist Johnny Moeller, who appeared (with Gomes and drummer Robb Stupka) on Steve Guyger's recent disc, and plays for the Fabulous Thunderbirds.

The music brings back memories of old-school R&B singers from the '60s, as on the opener, "You Don't Know Me." This one charges in with power horns like an old Stax single and moves at a fast clip through Nulisch's vocal as he punches up memories of Sam and Dave. Nice organ riffs over a slower soul brew on "The Woman Don't Live Here No More" give Moeller a chance to step in for a crisp solo and Nulisch to shine on a bluesy number. "It's a Shame" is a funky standout track that mixes horns and lively guitar vocal interplay. A lush, full orchestration gives "All the Love We Had" a touch of soul class. Throughout, the tunes are ensemble pieces that contain no long blues solos, no harmonica, and instead focus on Nuslisch and his soulful vocals.

"Just For You" is quality music by a singer who makes music the old-fashioned way. Darrell Nulisch has a great set of soul pipes and this disc is a great listen.

Review by Frank Kocher, a longtime San Diego resident, musician, music collector and frequent contributor to The San Diego Troubadour.