Mighty Sam McClain - Give It Up To Love (2LP, 45 tours)
Mighty Sam McClain - Vocals
Kevin Barry - Guitar
Lorne Entress - Drums
Bruce Katz - Organ, Organ (Hammond), Piano
Michael Rivard - Bass
Bennie Wallace - Tenor Sax
2 LP, Tip-on, thick cardboard gatefold jacket
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 45 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Quality Record Pressings
Label : Analogue Productions
Original Label : AudioQuest Music
Engineered by Michael C. Ross
Produced by Joe Harley
Remastered by Kevin Gray
Originally released in 1993
Reissued in 2020
Tracks:
Side A
- Give It Up To Love
- Too Proud
- What You Want Me To Do
Side B:
- Here I Go Falling In Love Again
- Got To Have Your Love
Side C:
- Child Of The Mighty Mighty
- I'm Tired Of These Blues
Side D:
- I Feel Good
- Don't Turn Back Now
- Lonesome Road
Awards:
TAS Super LP List! Special Merit: Informal
2021 Stereophile Magazine Record to Die For!
Reviews:
"Give It Up to Love has been one of my all-time faves since its release in 1993. Producer Joe Harley correctly identified red-clay R&B vocalist Sam McClain as someone whose musical career was due for a new act. The album continues to be an audiophile go-to; this latest issue by Analogue Productions generously spaces out 11 tracks over two 45 RPM LPs. The sound was already standard-setting, whatever the format, thanks to engineer Michael C. Ross's superb 'get.' I can pretty much tell within moments how my system is sounding by hearing a few beats of Mighty Sam's vocals and listening to guitarist Kevin Barry sliding down over the frets at the top of 'What You Want Me to Do.'" Sasha Matson, Stereophile, February 2021.
McClain sings soul with incredible power -- he knows when to pull the punches and when to cool it down. "Give It Up to Love," the title track, acknowledges his gospel roots; he performs it as a vocal prayer to God asking for wisdom, love, and strength. Bruce Katz's contributions on B-3 Hammond organ expands McClain's sound, particularly on the "Green Onions"-influenced "What You Want Me to Do." The sparsely effective arrangement on "Here I Go Falling in Love Again" brings McClain up front as he cries of being a soul stripped to the bare bones. Kevin Barry's funky bass blows while McClain declares himself as a child of God in "Child of the Mighty Mighty."” AllMusic Review by Char Ham
Ratings :
AllMusic : 4 / 5 , Discogs : 4,66 / 5