Being a child of the sixties I am still in love with the Stax-Volt Singles Collection that was released in 1991. A portion of this was just re-released again as the Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration. Today this music is the well polished brother to the Blues.

As a fan of Memphis styled music there are very few singers that affect me the way Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett did way back when. Except for Mighty Sam McLain and newcomer Tad Robinson, I can think of very few who have buzzed me continuously. Did I say Tad Robinson?

Tad Robinson is a blue-eyed soul singer whose 2004 release "Did You Ever Wonder" made my socks roll up and down, it was that good. A wonderful combination of vocal talent, song selection, and production, I did not think he could do it again. Was I wrong! His follow up "A New Point of View" is as good although different. Severn Records and Tad Robinson once again have top notch songwriting, and arrangements by the legendary Willie Henderson. The production this time is by Tad, Willie, Steve Gomes, and David Earl. The difference is that this time the sound has a high gloss shine.

Opening with "Long Way Home", one is struck with the beauty of Tad's voice, the horn and string arrangements of Willie Mitchell, the lyrics of John P. Bean, the bass of Steve Gomes, and the guitar of Alex Schultz. It's all here, this is it! On "Ain't That Loving You (For More reasons Than One)", Tad Robinson reprises the Alan Jones-Homer Banks classic that was a hit in 1966 for Johnnie Taylor , this version actually rivals the original. Next is "Up and Down World" the Bobby "Blue" Bland classic from his early Duke/Peacock Records, this song is another of the albums highlights. Three more songs are co-written by lyricist John P. Bean. "You Get To Keep The Love", "Broken Hearted Man" the best blues on the album, and "Back For More".

Keyboardist Kevin Anker co-author of "You Get To Keep The Love", has also co-written two more songs, "Two of a Kind Blues" which features nice harp from Tad, and the beautiful "Love Is Everything". The down the drain horns that open "He's Movin In (To Her Life)" sets the stage for this story about a man who lost his lover to his best friend. This emotionally charged song will leave you teary eyed. Bassist Steve Gomes contributes "More Good Than Bad" which is a showcase for the band as Kevin Anker, Alex Schultz, and Tad all get a chance to solo. Steve Gomes also contributes to "When You're Ready", "to get a new point of view, is not an easy thing to do".

Extra credit to Robb Stupka, drums; Victor Williams, percussion; and Lou Pride who also co-wrote three of the songs. That high gloss shine that I mentioned, well it works here although I still like the production on "Do You Ever Wonder?" even better. Better get them both.

Richard Ludmerer
Director, The New York Blues & Jazz Society
ricdale2@yahoo.com