Curtis Salgado,
“Soul Activated”
Shanachie Entertainment Corp.

The last time I saw Curtis was at last years WC Handy weekend down in Memphis.
Salgado was running like a crazy man, from one club to another on Beale
Street, trying to get up on stage with every band he could, such as; Rod
Piazza, Bob Margolin, Johnnie Bassett, and his old buddies The Roomful of
Blues. This release, his second on Shanachie, is areal good one. Special
guest Jimmy Vaughan helps out on the T’Birds-like sounding, “Old Enough to
Know Better”. Leon Russell’s, “I’d Rather BeBlind” follows in a soulful
style. Salgado’s, “Summertime Life” is just wonderful, and makes you yearn
forthe warmer days ahead, with great horn charts and climatic vocals from
Curtis,ala Sly Stone. The sad but stirring Salgado penned, “I Sleep with the
TV On”, sheds a tear of perhaps too much reality, and shows strong potential
in Curtis’s writing. Salgado’s, killer jamming, “Lip Whippin” iswhat it
says it is. In addition, it isa rip roaring instrumental workout with Curtis
burning on extended-playharp. How about Lloyd Jones guesting onguitar?
Moreover, listen to Willie Barber get deep down and drive the bass line.
For sure, “Lip Whippin” is my favorite cut on this recording. Lloyd Jones
sticks around for the Salgado written “Funny Man”, which has a Dr. John, New
Orleans Hoodoo/Gris, Gris, howland growl to it. It is also shear fun,on the
rocking, “Hip Hip Baby” with Lou Ann Barton sharing the vocals, and Jimmy
Vaughan adding to the Texas groove. More Jimmy V. grit on Chris Miller’s
“More Love Less Attitude”, which adds more rocking fun in closing this CD.

This is one fine album. It has great original songs from a rising star writer
in Salgado, acouple of great jams, and while some songs do lean to the
commercial side, I guess that is just “show biz”. Overall,“Soul Activated”
is a very true to it’s straight ahead, no bull, blues and soulroots. Very
recommended listening.

Bob Putignano