Cartwheeling: Live In Memphis
Omnivore, 2023
8/10
Listen to Cartwheeling: Live In Memphis
The Memphis singer-songwriter Van Duren released his first album in 1978, and there’s been a dozen+ records since. This previously unissued live set comes with help from Ray Sanders, James Lott, Joel Williams, and Rick Steff in attendance for the 14 power-pop anthems.
The hazy and powerful “Is She Ever” opens the set with Steff’s warm keys alongside Duren’s expressive pipes and thick guitars, and the rugged “I’m Looking For A Wife” follows with Williams’ thumping drums suiting the rugged country rock ideas.
Elsewhere, the charged and melodic “One More Real Kiss” uses plenty of backing vocals, while the intimate “Tennesse, I’m Trying” enters calmer areas that benefit from some bright brass and Sanders’ flowing bass in the rich delivery.
Residing near the end, the animated and sing-along “Jane” welcomes swirling guitar acrobatics, and “The Naked Eye Of Love” exits with no lack of rawness populating the piano rocker.
An artist whose career can be summed up as constantly falling through the cracks, though he never had any mainstream success, Van Duren’s influence is as strong as ever, and he even still performs at the age of 70. This collection was captured in 1992, and sounds fantastic 30+ years later.
Travels well with: The Flashcubes- Pop Masters; Richard X. Heyman- 67,000 Miles An Album