Damn Near Righteous

Audio Mixer: John Guess.
Recording information: Ameraycan Recording Studios, North Hollywood, CA; Capitol Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; Curb Studio, Nashville, TN; Dorffmeister, Malibu, CA; Henson Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; Masterfonics, Nashville, TN; Sound Stage Studios, Nashville, TN; Stagg Street Studios, Van Nuys, CA; The Mix Room, Burbank, CA; The Pass, Hollywood, CA.
For his first solo album in 10 years, and the first since his old Righteous Brothers partner Bobby Hatfield died, Bill Medley manages an emotionally stirring tour de force. The voice behind such classics as "You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling" has grown agreeably husky over the years, adding an extra layer of emotional gravitas to the proceedings. As the Righteous Brothers were the original blue-eyed-soul men, it's no surprise to note the deep-soul tone of DAMN NEAR RIGHTEOUS, which achieves an emotional impact somewhere between the latter-day recordings of Solomon Burke and the unadorned power of Johnny Cash's '90s albums (minus the twang). From the very first track, "Sit Down and Hurt," it's apparent that Medley is laying his heart on the line with all the power the veteran pop-soul crooner can bring to bear. It would be a crime if not being on a "hip" alternative label like some of Medley's comeback contemporaries robs this gorgeous record of the renown it deserves.