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Ever since the dawn of the electric guitar, white boys have sung the blues, some with considerably more success than others. Eli “Paperboy” Reed is part of that long tradition, but he stands apart from the pack as much as he belongs to it, due in large part to his age. Raised on CD reissues of classic blues and soul -- he was not even 10 when the first Complete Stax/Volt Singles box came out -- Reed has absorbed the sound and sensibility of classic ‘60s soul but sings without any white-boy blues affectations, totally comfortable in his own skin because nobody else his age, of any race, was attempting to make this kind of music. This can cause a kind of a disconnect -- Reed sounds so white when he sings, it’s disarming -- but he pours on the passion and has fully absorbed the tight turns of Stax and loves the sound as much as the structure, so much so that Come and Get It! -- his third LP and first for a major label -- feels a bit like an unearthed relic, built on songs and sounds that could pass for unheard gems if it wasn’t for Reed’s unapologetically white voice, free of affectations and ticks. Some of that may be due to producer Mike Elizondo’s work -- he manages to make this sound like a throwback without being stiff, and without having a hint of Mark Ronson’s hipster retroism for Amy Winehouse -- but he’s just articulating Reed’s gifts, letting the songs stand front and center. And that’s what’s remarkable about Come and Get It!: this is not a modern-day blues album, it’s a classic soul album, with almost all the tracks clocking in at 3:30 or less, leaving very little room for showboating solos. All concentration is on the tunes themselves, with the band kicking them toward kineticism, Reed channeling all his energy into making the songs sing, and they wind up sticking, sounding a bit like forgotten classics upon first listen, then winding up as familiar favorites upon the second. If there is any fault here, it’s that Reed’s voice remains perennially boyish, sometimes preventing this from achieving a level of gravity, but there’s no attempt to hide this: it’s an honest reflection of who Reed is, a young kid from Boston in love with the Southern sounds of the ‘60s and intent on carrying them on, even if he invites ridicule or scorn. He believes it, man, and based on Come and Get It!, it’s hard not to believe it too.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Darryl Phinnessee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Elizondo, Producer - Doug Smith, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Adam Hawkins, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ryan Spraker, Electric Guitar, Tambourine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Montgomery, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Tooley, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalist, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Arrowood, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Jaffe, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dorian Holley, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Arnold, French Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Herschel Dwellingham, ComposerLyricist - Pat DiCenso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Melanie Nyema, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jade Johnson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolet Singleton, String Arranger, Bells, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Attis Jerrell Clopton, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tomoko Omura, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - J. B. Flatt, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Birnbaum, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Patriq Moody, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Dechenne, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Freddy DeBoe, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Rosie Samter, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Julie Metcalf, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Selby, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Trevor Jarvis, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Fenlon, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 2010 Capitol Records, LLC
Darryl Phinnessee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Elizondo, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Doug Smith, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Adam Hawkins, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ryan Spraker, Electric Guitar, Tambourine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Montgomery, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Tooley, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalist, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Brent Arrowood, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Jaffe, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dorian Holley, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Pat DiCenso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Melanie Nyema, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jade Johnson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolet Singleton, String Arranger, Bells, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Attis Jerrell Clopton, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tomoko Omura, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - J. B. Flatt, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Birnbaum, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Patriq Moody, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Dechenne, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Freddy DeBoe, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Rosie Samter, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Julie Metcalf, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Selby, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Trevor Jarvis, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Fenlon, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 2010 Capitol Records, LLC
Darryl Phinnessee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Elizondo, Producer - Doug Smith, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Adam Hawkins, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ryan Spraker, Electric Guitar, Tambourine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Montgomery, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Tooley, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalist, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Brent Arrowood, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Jaffe, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dorian Holley, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Pat DiCenso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Melanie Nyema, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jade Johnson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolet Singleton, String Arranger, Bells, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Attis Jerrell Clopton, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tomoko Omura, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - J. B. Flatt, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Birnbaum, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Patriq Moody, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Dechenne, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Freddy DeBoe, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Rosie Samter, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Julie Metcalf, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Selby, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Trevor Jarvis, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Fenlon, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 2010 Capitol Records, LLC
Darryl Phinnessee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Elizondo, Producer - Doug Smith, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Adam Hawkins, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ryan Spraker, Electric Guitar, Tambourine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Michael Montgomery, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Tooley, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalist, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Brent Arrowood, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Jaffe, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dorian Holley, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Pat DiCenso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Melanie Nyema, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jade Johnson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolet Singleton, String Arranger, Bells, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Attis Jerrell Clopton, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tomoko Omura, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - J. B. Flatt, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Birnbaum, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Patriq Moody, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Dechenne, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Freddy DeBoe, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Rosie Samter, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Julie Metcalf, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Selby, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Trevor Jarvis, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Fenlon, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 2010 Capitol Records, LLC
Mike Elizondo, Producer - Ryan Spraker, ComposerLyricist - Michael Montgomery, ComposerLyricist - Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, MainArtist - Eli Husock, ComposerLyricist
(C) 2010 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 2010 Capitol Records, LLC.
Darryl Phinnessee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Elizondo, Producer - Doug Smith, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Adam Hawkins, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ryan Spraker, Electric Guitar, Tambourine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Montgomery, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Tooley, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalist, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Brent Arrowood, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Jaffe, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dorian Holley, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Pat DiCenso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Melanie Nyema, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jade Johnson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolet Singleton, String Arranger, Bells, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Attis Jerrell Clopton, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tomoko Omura, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - J. B. Flatt, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Birnbaum, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Patriq Moody, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Dechenne, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Freddy DeBoe, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Rosie Samter, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Julie Metcalf, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Selby, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Trevor Jarvis, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Fenlon, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 2010 Capitol Records, LLC
Darryl Phinnessee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Elizondo, Producer - Doug Smith, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Adam Hawkins, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ryan Spraker, Electric Guitar, Tambourine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Montgomery, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Tooley, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalist, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Brent Arrowood, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Jaffe, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dorian Holley, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Pat DiCenso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Melanie Nyema, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jade Johnson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolet Singleton, String Arranger, Bells, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Attis Jerrell Clopton, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tomoko Omura, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - J. B. Flatt, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Birnbaum, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Patriq Moody, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Dechenne, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Freddy DeBoe, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Rosie Samter, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Julie Metcalf, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Selby, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Trevor Jarvis, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Fenlon, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 2010 Capitol Records, LLC
Darryl Phinnessee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Elizondo, Producer - Doug Smith, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Adam Hawkins, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ryan Spraker, Electric Guitar, Tambourine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Michael Montgomery, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Tooley, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalist, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Brent Arrowood, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Jaffe, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dorian Holley, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Pat DiCenso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Melanie Nyema, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jade Johnson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolet Singleton, String Arranger, Bells, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Attis Jerrell Clopton, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tomoko Omura, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - J. B. Flatt, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Birnbaum, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Patriq Moody, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Dechenne, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Freddy DeBoe, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Rosie Samter, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Julie Metcalf, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Selby, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Trevor Jarvis, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Fenlon, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 2010 Capitol Records, LLC
Darryl Phinnessee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Elizondo, Producer - Doug Smith, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Adam Hawkins, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ryan Spraker, Electric Guitar, Tambourine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Michael Montgomery, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Tooley, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalist, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Brent Arrowood, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Jaffe, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dorian Holley, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Pat DiCenso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Melanie Nyema, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jade Johnson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolet Singleton, String Arranger, Bells, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Attis Jerrell Clopton, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tomoko Omura, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - J. B. Flatt, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Birnbaum, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Patriq Moody, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Dechenne, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Freddy DeBoe, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Rosie Samter, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Julie Metcalf, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Selby, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Trevor Jarvis, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Fenlon, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 2010 Capitol Records, LLC
Darryl Phinnessee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Elizondo, Producer, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Doug Smith, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Adam Hawkins, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ryan Spraker, Electric Guitar, Tambourine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Montgomery, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Tooley, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalist, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Brent Arrowood, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Jaffe, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dorian Holley, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Pat DiCenso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Melanie Nyema, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jade Johnson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolet Singleton, String Arranger, Bells, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Attis Jerrell Clopton, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tomoko Omura, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - J. B. Flatt, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Birnbaum, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Patriq Moody, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Dechenne, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Freddy DeBoe, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Rosie Samter, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Julie Metcalf, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Selby, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Trevor Jarvis, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Fenlon, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Eli Keszler, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 2010 Capitol Records, LLC
Darryl Phinnessee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Elizondo, Producer - Doug Smith, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Adam Hawkins, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ryan Spraker, Electric Guitar, Tambourine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Montgomery, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Tooley, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalist, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Brent Arrowood, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Jaffe, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dorian Holley, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Pat DiCenso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Melanie Nyema, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jade Johnson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolet Singleton, String Arranger, Bells, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Attis Jerrell Clopton, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tomoko Omura, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - J. B. Flatt, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Birnbaum, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Patriq Moody, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Dechenne, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Freddy DeBoe, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Rosie Samter, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Julie Metcalf, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Selby, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Trevor Jarvis, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Fenlon, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 2010 Capitol Records, LLC
Darryl Phinnessee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Elizondo, Producer - Doug Smith, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Adam Hawkins, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ryan Spraker, Electric Guitar, Tambourine, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Michael Montgomery, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Tooley, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalist, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Brent Arrowood, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Jaffe, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Dorian Holley, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Pat DiCenso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Melanie Nyema, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jade Johnson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicolet Singleton, String Arranger, Bells, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Attis Jerrell Clopton, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tomoko Omura, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - J. B. Flatt, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Birnbaum, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Patriq Moody, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Dechenne, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Freddy DeBoe, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Rosie Samter, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Julie Metcalf, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Selby, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Trevor Jarvis, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Fenlon, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 2010 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 2010 Capitol Records, LLC
Album review
Ever since the dawn of the electric guitar, white boys have sung the blues, some with considerably more success than others. Eli “Paperboy” Reed is part of that long tradition, but he stands apart from the pack as much as he belongs to it, due in large part to his age. Raised on CD reissues of classic blues and soul -- he was not even 10 when the first Complete Stax/Volt Singles box came out -- Reed has absorbed the sound and sensibility of classic ‘60s soul but sings without any white-boy blues affectations, totally comfortable in his own skin because nobody else his age, of any race, was attempting to make this kind of music. This can cause a kind of a disconnect -- Reed sounds so white when he sings, it’s disarming -- but he pours on the passion and has fully absorbed the tight turns of Stax and loves the sound as much as the structure, so much so that Come and Get It! -- his third LP and first for a major label -- feels a bit like an unearthed relic, built on songs and sounds that could pass for unheard gems if it wasn’t for Reed’s unapologetically white voice, free of affectations and ticks. Some of that may be due to producer Mike Elizondo’s work -- he manages to make this sound like a throwback without being stiff, and without having a hint of Mark Ronson’s hipster retroism for Amy Winehouse -- but he’s just articulating Reed’s gifts, letting the songs stand front and center. And that’s what’s remarkable about Come and Get It!: this is not a modern-day blues album, it’s a classic soul album, with almost all the tracks clocking in at 3:30 or less, leaving very little room for showboating solos. All concentration is on the tunes themselves, with the band kicking them toward kineticism, Reed channeling all his energy into making the songs sing, and they wind up sticking, sounding a bit like forgotten classics upon first listen, then winding up as familiar favorites upon the second. If there is any fault here, it’s that Reed’s voice remains perennially boyish, sometimes preventing this from achieving a level of gravity, but there’s no attempt to hide this: it’s an honest reflection of who Reed is, a young kid from Boston in love with the Southern sounds of the ‘60s and intent on carrying them on, even if he invites ridicule or scorn. He believes it, man, and based on Come and Get It!, it’s hard not to believe it too.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 12 track(s)
- Total length: 00:41:35
- Main artists: Eli Paperboy Reed
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Capitol Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 2010 Capitol Records, LLC ℗ 2010 Capitol Records, LLC
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