From the first chords of “What Is This” to the last notes of her rendition of Sam Cooke’s moving “A Change Is Gonna Come,” Naomi’s warmth, her understanding and her kindness, all come through. Love your neighbor, and do right in the world is her message, but it’s more than the lyrics that convey this. It’s the tone of her voice, the way she draws out certain words, that pulls you in, compels you to listen closer. Hers is a voice that knows humanity, a voice that knows truth, a voice that, when she says, “You take that shortcut, I’ll take the long road, but surely I will get there, yes I will,” you can’t help but believe it.
But despite Naomi’s place in the forefront – and legendary pianist Cliff Driver, the band’s music director and leader, in the back – the record is very much a group effort. Dap-Kings’ guitarist Tommy “TNT” Brenneck, bassist Bosco Mann, and drummer Homer Steinweiss all lend their talents, while the Queens, Cynthia Langston, Edna Johnson, and Bobbie Gant, remain a constant – and essential – presence, responding to Naomi’s inquiries (“If they take my son, they ship him out to Iraq/Am I asking too much to know when he’s coming back?” she asks, and the Queens assure her, “That ain’t asking too much”), humming along with knowing disapproval as Naomi denounces hypocrisy in “What Have You Done,” an immediately arresting, powerful song, and even leading the way themselves in “I Need You To Hold My Hand” and “He Knows My Heart.” Naomi may be the star, but the role of all involved is never underestimated.
This humility, this generosity of spirit, is also on display at her live shows. From her weekly Friday-night gigs at New York’s Fat Cat, where former James-Brown bassist Fred Thomas helps to fill out the Driver-led ensemble, to special performances at the Sufjan-Stevens-curated Brooklyn Academy of Music Takeover and as part of the Lincoln Center’s American Songbook, great care is taken to make sure everyone in the audience feels connected to the music, and in turn, to Naomi herself.
What Have You Done, My Brother? is an extraordinary album by a woman who sings directly from her soul, whose experience cannot be duplicated, whose authenticity cannot be disputed. It’s an album whose positivity, no matter your beliefs, is immediately felt. An album that exudes a happiness, and a hopefulness, that is necessary now more than ever.
“What Have You Done” was NPR’s Song of the Day). Listen to it here.
BIO
Cliff Driver is the musical director of the group, and leads the band with his inimitable honky-tonk piano style. Jimmy Hill, the organist on the record, leads his own blues and R&B band and has a pedigree rivaling Driver himself, including a stint in the late sixties backing Wilson Pickett. The record also features guitarist Tommy “TNT” Brenneck and Bosco Mann, both of Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and each a producer in their own right. Brenneck is also part of The Budos Band, The Menahan Street Band, and heads his own imprint, Dunham Records. His country approach to rhythm-and-blues guitar handily won him a place at the table with Driver, who often features Tommy’s twangy guitar figures in his arrangements. The drums on the record were played by Brian Floody, a fixture on the bluesier end of the New York jazz scene who beats an indispensable if understated pulse, and Homer Steinweiss, also of the Dap-Kings, whose distinctive feel has become the backbone of the Daptone Sound, as well as the uncredited force behind the music of Amy Winehouse, Jay-Z, Nas, Mark Ronson, and countless others.
The Gospel Queens are made up of Bobbie Gant, Cynthia Langston, and Edna Johnson. Sharon Jones, Judy Bennett, Jamie Kozyra, and Tamika Jones contributed additional background vocals on the record.
Artist: Naomi Shelton
Album: What Have You Done, My Brother?
Label: Daptone Records
Street Date: May 26, 2009
