Arthur Alexander - Lonely Just Like Me: The Final Chapter

Late-period country-soul still breaks hearts

The late Arthur Alexander’s well crafted country-soul songs have been covered by everyone from The Beatles (Anna) and Elvis, to The Rolling Stones (You Better Move On) and Dylan. No one could match the gospel-trained Alexander’s own emotion-charged, languidly intense vocal approach, as every track on this comprehensive memorial release attests. First up is a remastered reissue of Alexander’s final 1993 release for Nonesuch/Explorer, followed by song and interview material taken from a National Public Radio broadcast, some never-before-heard hotel room demos (including an arresting Solitary Man) and a concert version of Anna from a 1991 New York club performance. The 12-track Nonesuch album showcases Alexander at the top of his game. Favourites include a bluesy take on Sally Sue Brown (his 1960 debut Judd single), a loping If It’s Really Got To Be This Way, the Solomon Burke-sounding In The Middle Of It All, The Band-influenced Mr John and the lightly orchestrated epic There Is A Road. Other inspired numbers encompass an exhilarating Go Home Girl and Genie In The Jug (from NPR), and an a cappella Lonely Just Like Me. As Nonesuch producer Ben Vaughn puts it, “If heartbreak had a sound, it was this voice.”

5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars

Hacktone | 271932

Reviewed by Gary von Tersch
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