Lou Rawls Albums (34)
What The Critics Say
Lou Rawls gives a riveting performance on Live!, covering standards from Basie/Rushing's tambourine-jumpin' "Goin' to Chicago" to T-Bone Walker's foot-stompin' "Stormy Monday," and whole lot in between. Each selection is as inviting as the next, featuring Tommy Short on piano solos on some. On finger-snappin' numbers like "In the Evening When the Sun Goes Down" and "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water," the crooning baritone wails his way through the lyric. The only single to chart from this live set was the moderately paced number "The Shadow of Your Smile," the theme from the movie The Sandpiper. But Rawls loses no steam; he romances the lyric with vehemence. It peaked at 33 on the Billboard R&B charts after only two weeks. (It was the first single to ever chart for Rawls.) For soul-stirrin' blues and swingin' jazz numbers, this is an excellent pick. ~ Craig Lytle, All Music Guide
'Rawls Sings Sinatra'
Release Date 9/9/2003
Tracks 12
Label Savoy Jazz
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What The Critics Say
Tackling the Sinatra songbook seems like a dicey proposition. Who wants to be compared to one of the greatest singers of all time? Most likely you are going to come up short in comparison. Lou Rawls decided to take on the challenge on his 2003 release Rawls Sings Sinatra, which features Rawls wrapping his distinctive baritone around 12 songs associated with Sinatra. It is produced very cleanly by Billy Vera, arranged swingingly by Benny Golson, and split between up-tempo songs like "Come Fly With Me," "That's Life," and "My Kind of Town/Chicago" and ballads like "All the Way," "One for My Baby (And One More for the Road"), and "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning." Vera and Rawls make a few interesting choices song-wise, picking a few lesser-known songs like "Summer Wind," "The Second Time Around," and "Learnin' the Blues." All the pieces are in place to make this a pleasant exercise in Sinatra-worshipping nostalgia. The only problem is the less-than-perfect state of Rawls' vocals. He definitely shows his age as he occasionally scrapes his way through the trickier passages and growls his way through the swinging tunes. If you can handle him not sounding exactly as he did in his prime, Rawls actually sounds pretty good on most of the disc. In fact on some of the songs, and especially on the ballads like "All the Way" and "One for My Baby (And One More for the Road"), his newfound vocal unsteadiness adds a new shade of vulnerability that is quite interesting. Fans of Rawls who want to live in the past should avoid this disc for certain, but those who are willing to hear the real Rawls of 2003 will find themselves in possession of a pleasant and swinging disc. (Oh yeah, the Sinatra comparison. Does it stack up well against Sinatra in his prime? Not even close. How about against Sinatra when he was 68 as Rawls is in 2003? Well, Sinatra was still better, but not by much.) ~ Tim Sendra, All Music Guide
'Christmas Will Be Christmas'
Release Date 8/28/2001
Tracks 12
Label Capitol
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'Soulin''
Release Date 3/13/2001
Tracks 14
Label EMI-Capitol Special Markets
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What The Critics Say
Lou Rawls began his roll onto the R&B and pop charts with this 1966 work. He was now doing soul material, songs where his gospel background and instincts took over, and he simply wailed, soared, and shouted, rather than interpreting or working with blues progressions. He scored a huge hit with "Love Is a Hurtin' Thing" and had finally found a successful formula. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
'Swingin' Christmas'
Release Date 8/24/2000
Tracks 10
Label EMI-Capitol Special Markets
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What The Critics Say
Lou Rawls was 62 when he recorded Seasons 4 You in 1998, and it was obvious that his voice had held up quite well. The Chicagoan's impressive range was still there, along with plenty of charisma and soul. Based around the theme of seasons and weather, this collection of pop, jazz and R&B finds the veteran singer turning his attention to a variety of familiar songs with likable results. Rawls goes the acoustic jazz route on Nat King Cole's hit "Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer" and the often-recorded standards "Summertime," "Autumn Leaves" and "Blue Skies," but he has more of a pop outlook on interpretations of the Byrds' "Turn! Turn! Turn!" and the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun," which becomes a very slow ballad. Although it has a lot going for it, Seasons 4 You doesn't quite fall into the essential category -- it isn't a CD one should choose over his 1960s work on Capitol, his Philly soul output for Philadelphia International in the late 1970s, or 1989's At Last on Blue Note. Nonetheless, this is a tasteful and enjoyable effort that Rawls' devoted fans will want. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'Merry Little Christmas'
Release Date 11/1/1995
Tracks 9
Label Cema Special Markets
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What The Critics Say
Lou Rawls' Merry Little Christmas is compiled from a 1989 recording session where he ran through a selection of predictable contemporary and classic Christmas carols -- "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," "Merry Christmas, Baby," "The Christmas Song" -- and threw in a couple of newly written or unfamiliar tunes for good measure. Rawls is in good voice, but the production is a bit too clean, bordering on the antiseptic. Still, Rawls' good-natured performances are charming enough to make Merry Little Christmas pleasant holiday background music. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
'Sit Down and Talk to Me'
Release Date 3/21/1995
Tracks 8
Label Cema Special Markets
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What The Critics Say
A fine late-'70s Rawls album on Philadelphia International. He had temporarily enjoyed some disco success, but had returned to the blend of jazzy pop, soul, and blues that best showcased his skills. While his voice was now deeper and rougher, his timing, delivery, and overall technique had matured to the point where anything he sang was impressive. Rawls enjoyed a pair of moderate hits from the album and showed that he was still able to turn out quality sessions. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
