Jerry Lawson spent 40 years as lead singer and arranger of the a capella vocal group The Persuasions, singing gospel, soul, rock ‘n’ roll, R & B, and covering artists as diverse as Frank Zappa and Bob Dylan on more than 20 albums. His sweet but smoky tenor is one of the most recognizable voices of the era. Now at age 71, and having lately been living in Phoenix and running a home for adults with disabilities, Lawson has made his first solo album. (Just a couple of weeks before it was released, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Contemporary A Capella Society during the Boston Sings! Festival in April.)
The record was co-produced by Lawson and Eric Brace, a musician, writer and Red Beet label co-owner in Nashville who has made some of the most solid Americana records of the past decade – both his own and others’. Just a Mortal Man is right up there with the best things Brace has ever been associated with.
You only have to listen to the first and last of the 13 tracks on Mortal Man to know what I’m talking about. It opens with a riveting cover of Paul Simon’s “Peace Like A River.” He’s accompanied by a sparse band of acoustic and electric guitars gently stroked, electric piano, bass and drums, and The McCrary Sisters on gospel harmonies. It’s a laid-back song and Lawson delivers it in a manner that is mild on the surface but seething with power underneath. And when he recites the bridge in a startling baritone speaking voice – “You can beat us with wires / you can beat us with chains / you can run out your rules / but you know you can’t / outrun the history train” – well, if that doesn’t stop you in your tracks I don’t know what will. Lines written for the 1960s suddenly seem awfully relevant again.
And then just indulge me and skip to the end and pay some attention to Sam Cooke’s “I’ll Come Running To You.” Accompanied only by Brace on acoustic guitar, who also adds harmony vocals with his compatriot Peter Cooper, Lawson just nails this finger-popping love song.
What’s in between is pretty great, too. A singer with Lawson’s history, versatility and vast knowledge of the American songbook can sing a country song like Peter Cooper’s “Wine” just as convincingly as the Grateful Dead’s “Woman In White.” (Catch Brace’s wonderfully twangy baritone guitar on this one!) Two of the most special songs are tributes to a couple of Lawson’s peers – the title song for David Ruffin and “Members Only” for Bobby “Blue” Bland. Both beautiful blues and soul songs. The album as a whole has a pretty laid-back vibe, but really rocks on a song by Brace’s band Last Train Home, “Never Been To Memphis.”
Lawson says he always wanted to make a music with a full band. It was a long wait, but Just a Mortal Man was worth waiting for.
Here’s a video about the making of the album. I just love the way Lawson’s joyful and gracious spirit comes out with every word he speaks, as much as when he sings.
(Red Beet, 2015)
Editor’s Note: We received a thoughtful email from Rip Rense, requesting a correction to this article. We’re posting the correction below, and would like to thank Mr. Rense for the feedback.
Your review of Jerry Lawson’s album was informed, thoughtful, articulate. As an old friend of Jerry’s, it’s very gratifying to see him get his due for his vocal skills—not merely the quality of his voice. Hope you don’t mind one correction. “Woman in White” is not, repeat not, a Grateful Dead song. It was never recorded or played by the Grateful Dead. It is a brand new song, making its debut on this album—co-written by Robert Hunter (lyrics) and Jerry (!) with the music. It is a Hunter-Lawson collaboration. I know this because I happened to have sent the lyrics to Jerry, and arranged Hunter’s approval for Jerry to set it to music. I’d appreciate a correction in the review. Thanks very much.Best,Rip Rense
Los Angeles
