by Brian D. Holland

It’s difficult to believe that Albert Cummings has time for anything but making good music. His singing style, and especially the manner in which he plays guitar, is accomplished. You’d think it would have been somewhat time consuming to reach its present level. Although he once told me that most practicing was done right onstage, keep in mind that he tours the world extensively while running his own successful construction company, and he still finds time to live the life of a typical family man. That’s Albert Cummings; he’s a workingman’s workingman.

I’m a huge fan of his guitar tone. The sounds on his latest release, Working Man, incite no disappointment whatsoever. Whether mellow or strong, downright bluesy or rockin’ hard, Albert’s tones are appealing. Besides the usual sweet and glassy tones Strats are known for, he conjures heavy and solid sounds that other players don’t often obtain. He’s definitely an aficionado of that heavy Strat tone.

Working Man is beset with a country-blues atmosphere, more so than Cummings’ previous two releases. Some may find this interesting since he hails from Massachusetts. However, being from there myself, I realize there’s many interesting styles of music to be found all over the state, especially if you look and listen hard enough. Albert Cummings’ style of rockin’ country-blues excites crowds at shows everywhere.

His guitar playing is often compared to Stevie Ray Vaughan. Any guitarist knows what a double-edged sword such a comparison can truly be. I know he’s a huge fan of Stevie’s, and I know that the strut and Texas influences are there, but that’s where it ends. Though very southern and country-ish in approach, Albert’s tone, fire, showmanship, and style is fresh and lively; and it’s all about Albert.

Merle Haggard’s ‘Workin’ Man Blues’ opens the album. Though the music of Albert Cummings is always bluesy, this one has all the swagger, strut, and beef one might expect from an axe slingin’ bluesman with a country edge. His rhythm chops are subtle and funky and his lead work is heavy and tuneful. He gets into some wah-wah on this one, too. What I like about his use of the effect is that it’s quick and subtle, not overdone and saturated.

‘Say You Love Me’ is another track showcasing a funky rhythm strut, yet the lead guitar screams and sears its way to the forefront. ‘I Feel Good’ is a solid blues-rocker, one I like quite a lot. It has a nice, solid flow to it. ‘Let Me Be’ displays Albert’s slow blues side, a side that shouldn’t be overlooked. His voice and lead playing are superb throughout. One can sense the Stevie Ray, or even the Albert King influences here. However, his lead solo near the song’s end is more of a modern approach, more like something Derek Trucks or Joe Bonamassa might do. Though extremely melodic, it’s unpredictable, random, and ever-changing. ‘Feeling End’ is an incredible rock song. Lyrically, it’s about love lost, and the feelings people experience when they finally realize they’ve lost a lover, one who has also been a best friend. ‘Rumors’ is a rugged slow blues. This is clearly one of those types of songs, with an amazing display of lead guitar aptness, that lured Double Trouble’s Tommy Shannon, Reese Wynans, and Chris Layton to record on Cummings’ first record back in 2003.

Sure enough, there’s a lot of excellent electric blues, blues-rock, and rock on Albert Cummings’ new one, ‘Working Man’, and much of it has a touch of that twang, strut, and country rigor. Albert Cummings is a guitarist, singer, writer, and performer who’ll be around for quite a while. ‘Working Man’ substantiates that opinion. That said, the fact that it was produced by Jim Gaines (Santana, Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughan, as well as Cummings’ previous effort, True To Yourself, and many more) is an achievement in itself. Steve Potts played drums and Dave Smith played bass.

Working Man Track Titles

1. Workin’ Man Blues

2. Say You Love Me

3. I Feel Good

4. Girls To Shame

5. Let Me Be

6. Feeling End

7. Party Right Here

8. I’m Free

9. First Day

10. I’m On My Way

11. Rumors

12. Please

13. Last Dance

Blind Pig Records 2006

Links
Albert Cummings
Buy Working Man on Amazon.com