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The Decoys
Shot From The Saddle
New Release - Now Available!

CD
Direct release price!
$15.99

List $18.99

By Tony Rounce

The sleevenote to the original US release of SHOT FROM THE SADDLE describes the Decoys as "a five man rhythm and blues powerhouse". That's only half the story, though. For what the Decoys really is, is a mini-history of Southern rock'n'soul, all wrapped up in a most satisfying 45 minutes of music. Originally assembled as a loose-fit 'jam band' a decade and a half ago by famed record producer Johnny "Duck" Sandlin, the group's personnel has lately gelled into a regular four piece (with a succession of guest drummers) that includes legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section bassist David Hood. (The MSRS drumstool occupant is one of many who occasionally occupy that self-same position within the Decoys' floating membership, by the way).

Hood's been around enough to know what makes separates the good from the bad - as has lead singer Scott Boyer, whose own career stretches back to the mid 70s when he fronted Southern rockers Cowboy. Together with guitarist Kelvin Holly and keyboard man NC Thurman they make up the core of the Decoys, and are aided and augmented here by just the few other seminal Southern sidemen such as Spooner Oldham and ex-Domino Bobby Whitlock on B3s, percussionist Mickey Buckins and a team of background vocalists that includes 'Alabama Leaning Man' Donnie Fritts and Cindy Walker. Oh yes, and the Muscle Shoals Horns are conspicuous by their prominence here, too. Thus if you're guessing that SHOT FROM THE SADDLE is a beguiling blend of blues, country-influenced southern rock and straight-ahead Muscle Shoals Soul you'll be guessing right. The singing is soulful, the solos are brief and tasteful and the songs are generally pretty splendid (would you expect anything less from a set that revives Oscar Toney Jr's Down In Texas or Jimmy Hughes' Neighbor, Neighbor as well as Professor Longhair's Her Mind Is Gone, and blends them seamlessly with great Decoys originals like 24-7-365?). At a time when far too many veteran soul singers feel it's acceptable to record only with pre-programmed drum machines and crappy synth string sections, it's all the more refreshing to hear a 21st century southern soul record that features neither, as this doesn't. Enjoyed recent albums by the likes of Dan Penn and Russell Smith? You'll enjoy this, too, as it ploughs a not-dissimilar furrow to both Mr. Pennington's early 90s classic Do Right Man and Russell's recent Ace release The End Is Not In Sight (CDCHD 859 - like SFTS, originally released on Muscle Shoals Records).

Produced by Mark and Rodney Hall with occasional input from the aforementioned Mr Sandlin, it's great to see and hear that Rick Hall's boys are continuing to maintain the standards of excellence set by their father over 40 years ago when he founded Florence, Alabama Music Enterprises (that's FAME to me and you!) and recorded Arthur Alexander's You Better Move On. If you have even a passing interest in the Sound of the American South, you need to check this one out.

The Decoys (Muscle Shoals Records)

As I recall, a 'decoy' is meant to be something to draw attention away from a main interest, or to act as a distraction. This terrific little package of spliced-and-diced R&B cuts has the opposite effect: grab your hat and keep focused, because these guys have a serious "Men at Work" sign in the road. It's like a club sandwich, with layers of good fixin's and straight-to-the-point delivery when you want the real thing.

The Decoys show that the sum of the whole is indeed supported by the parts (or players). Here's a four-corner framework of painful, soulful vocals (Scott Boyer of Cowboy, part of the Allman Brothers Band extended family), short-but-sweet guitar licks (Kelvin Holly of Little Richard's band); David Hood's slunky, funky bass, as thick as tar as he stays right on top of every bass drum kick; a turnstile of tormented keyboard (NC Thurman), and a muscular rhythm section, supplemented by a cast of local heroes and rogues. Spooner Oldham, Donnie Fritts, Bobby Whitlock, The Muscle Shoals Horns, Brian Wheeler, James Hooker-there's enough guys here to field a damn good softball game, too, as long as the barbecue is kept up (and no duck on the menu, mind you). The Decoys work from afar and close, so when there's a gig, the paycheck beckons. However, friends also count, and when there's room to play and the time clock is off, let's cook!

And do they! The title song immediately shows Scott's growl is a dangerous thing, especially when he's caught on that another man has been prowling around his den. Well, if "Nadine" from New Orleans was the source of his loss, it sounds like she could melt steel with her charms, and it's no wonder why his imagination is on overdrive. This has a very strong vibe like Mr. Lucky's "Memphis Stripper," so the ceiling sprinkler system may ignite any minute. Ya gotta just love those clean lines that Kelvin slices-he's got such a simple but effective approach. Service notice on Steve Cropper that there's a helluva reason to hook up with Kelvin for a duet. Hats off to Scott for his delivery on Eddie Hinton's "Down in Texas," because the sweat is fresh on Boyer's work clothes with honest toil. His portrayal of Eddie's zest makes you want to hug yourself with his memory, and you make sure you notice the fast-setting cement of the horn section.

Walt Aldridge is a busy author with four tunes featured, and his "Bits and Pieces" gets a man's sorrowful view on an old flame (my Georgia Songbird friend E.G. Kight does a separate version of this for the ladies on Come Into the Blues); but rejoice, because Scott's singing from the rooftop about his new main squeeze on "24-7-365," and those measurements are the ones he loves best. But there's got to be some kind of action that's getting a lot of attention, because "Neighbor, Neighbor" has been snooping too close for comfort. Credit Scott again with taking the gentleness of a song (here it's Gregg Allman's "Melissa"), adding subtle changes (a fingerpicking intro versus strumming), and giving it a new set of wings. Kelvin, too, rides the ocean currents on guitar.

When these guys want to have fun, "Get Down" is more than an order-it's a call for comradeship and musical joy, and that's what these guys do best. Getting back to those sad times just won't be avoided, though, and "Good Days, Bad Days" is testimony why depression is a serious condition. Get Scott to a love doctor, because he's gotta get cured, y'all. Kelvin's sinewy guitar offers some remedy on "What's Up with That," 'cause it's getting time to trade in on that woman again. For sure, it's because "Her Mind is Gone," and don't be the last man out the door. But do these guys learn their lesson? They don't call it the blues for nothing, especially when "Desire" is knocking-or swaying, I should say…and Lord, is she calling my name?

Maybe the Decoys were right: the roadsign might have said 'Dangerous Curves ahead,' and I have to pull over and have another look-or listen. Just remember that a good pickup in a dark smoky place also refers to more than a truck or a guitar accessory. Sounds like there's some bad-is-good company to find on this disc-and I've got mine in mind. You should get some too, before the Decoys beat you to her.

The Decoys may not be a band name that people instantly recognise, but the guys who make up the group have a hell of a track record. They've been playing on and off as a group for quite a while and have released a couple of albums ("All My Friends" and "Live At Union Station") prior to this release, which is the second outing from the recently formed MuscleShoals Record label (go here for the review of the label's initial release, the excellent Russell Smith album).
On this album, the core of the Decoys sound is David Hood, Scott Boyer, Kelvin Holly, NC Thurman and Brian Wheeler. David Hood (bass) was a member of the world famous Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and was instrumental in helping to put together the influential Muscle Shoals sound. He's played on just about everyone's records, including the seminal Aretha Franklin recordings, R&B classics from Wilson Pickett, Clarence Carter, Etta James, Percy Sledge and more mainstream material from the likes of Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, Boz Scaggs, and Rod Stewart. He also toured with Traffic in the company of another sometime Decoy, Roger Hawkins.

Scott Boyer provides most of the lead vocals and some guitar work and has a range of credits that include authorship of 'Please Be With Me', a stand out on Eric Clapton's 461 Ocean Boulevard. He's recently co-authored a number of songs with Donnie Fritts and Spooner Oldham.
Kevin Holly takes all the lead guitar chores and in the past he's played with Little Richard, the Amazing Rhythm Aces and Bobby Bland amongst others. Along with his Decoys work, he still plays all over the world in the Little Richard Band. NC Thurman, who provides keyboards and some vocals on the album also has a solid track record, although he now concentrates mainly on songwriting and has had songs recorded by the likes of Gregg Allman and Chuck Leavell. Brian Wheeler provides the drums and percussion on this particular outing.

"Shot From The Saddle" doesn't break new ground - it's solid rhythm and blues played the way it should be played. Whether its the blues shuffle of the title track, the ballad take on Gregg Allman's lovely 'Melissa' or the New Orleans feel of 'Neighbor Neighbor' (the Primer knows this best through Jimmy Hughes, any other takers!), what you've got is a very fine R&B recording. It's a consistent release throughout but there are some particular highlights. For the Primer the CD really takes off during the instrumental workout on 'Neighbor Neighbor', with a particularly fine piano lead from NC Thurman - in fact NC's keyboards throughout the recording are a real highlight of the set. The writing, whilst hardly revolutionary, is excellent and the choice of some unusual covers is a real strength.
In so many ways a throwback (its values, focus and musicianship, its ensemble playing etc.) but it's still undeniably fresh. In the end I guess, if you love R&B , you'll enjoy it enormously, but I don't suppose it will single handedly turn anyone on to the music either.