2022 – Vizztone Label
Group
By Phillip Smith; July 9, 2022
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
Who is He?, the debut album from 21 year old St. Louis vocalist Dylan
Triplett, is a phenomenal recording.
With a voice that has a range of four and a half octaves, Triplett
began his professional singing career at the age of fifteen singing with his
father, jazz saxophonist Art Pollard.
Produced by Larry Fulcher who is also on bass guitar, this ten-track
album features Triplett on lead vocals with Dr. Wayne Goins (head
of Jazz Studies at Kansas State University) on guitar, Montez Coleman on
drums, Ryan Marquez and Mike Finnegan on keys, and Joe Sublett
and Kyle Turner on saxophones. Also
appearing on the album are special guests Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Johnny
Lee Schell, Sean McDonald, and Tru Born on guitars.
“Barnyard Blues” cracks the lid of this album open with Kingfish manhandling the guitar solos and Finnegan tearing it up on organ. Triplett tackles this original like a seasoned pro with a fearless approach. He then fabulously takes on Bill Wither’s “Who is He (And What is He to You?). His voice, soulful and buttery, sounds so damn good. “Junkyard Dog” cowritten by Triplett and Fulcher is a horn-infused delight about love for better or worse. Schell and Tru Born rip it up on guitars as Coleman lays down a serious groovy beat. I love the heart-felt slow blues of “I’ll Be Waiting”. Written by Triplett, this heart-wrencher features Schell on the guitar solos. Triplett confidently takes on Marvin Gaye’s “That’s What Love Is” for a stellar performance with an old school Motown vibe. Then he follows up with a smoking take on Lonnie Brooks’ “Feels Good Doin’ Bad” with Kingfish back on guitar. It’s a surefire favorite. The album comes to a close with an exquisite jazz selection covering of Miles Davis’ “All Blues” complete with horns. Triplett’s delivery is suave and guided with precision as he slides in to George Benson mode.
Who is He? won me over on the first listen, and continues to garner more of my attention with each and every listen. I can’t wait to hear what Triplett has in store for this next album.
