We love Wayne Talbert – and think he's one
of the great under-discovered talents
of his time! Wayne worked in the Sir Douglas Quintet, which is probably how he ended up recorded for Mercury – but he's got a sound that's very distinct, and has this really amazing mix
of jazz, soul, and Texas elements – but all with a vibe that's unlike anything else we can think
of! Wayne wrote most
of the tunes on this set himself, and they often have these jazzy arrangements that includes bits
of vibes, modal piano, soaring horns, and other elements that are all jumbled together – with a unique blend that's maybe in the territory
of that great
Shades Of Joy album on Fontana, with a similar disregard for easy labels or tags! Yet Talbert's soulful vocals also have a charm that really sets this one apart, too – almost Mose Allison meeting Joe Cocker somewhere down near the border – a quality that should have made Wayne huge – on titles that include "Dues to Pay", "What More Can I Say", "Schizophrenic Susan Minnick", "Funky Ellis Farm", and "Hell
of a World".