Calvin Richardson - 'Facts of Life: The Soul of Bobby Womack'

Calvin Richardson calls himself “The Soul Prince.” This guy always tends to slip under the  radar with releases that get constant radio play initially but are then relegated to late-night R&B all-request radio. It’s a shame. He can really sing. Richardson has been compared to the likes of Sam Cooke and Bobby Womack. Instead of fighting it, he embraces it.

Richardson dedicates his scruffy vocals to a collection of Bobby Womack’s work here. On this cover collection, set for release Aug. 25 (Shanachie), his soul vocals transcend time to resurrect some of Womack’s most underappreciated hits.   With classics like “That’s The Way I Feel About Cha,” “Love Has Finally Come at Last” and “American Dream,” Richardson reminds listeners of the rich soul that fueled music decades ago.   He even gives a short speech before some songs – just like the legends. “Facts of Life/He’ll Be There When the Sun Goes Down” is a full-on soliloquy. It’s certainly a reminder of how diluted some things have become – aside from our modern soulful artists like Maxwell and Leela James. 

– DeAnne M. Bradley

Tracks to download  “Woman’s Got to Have It,” “Love Has Finally Come at Last”

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