I'm With You

by Jason EliasI'm With You is another solid release from the road-tested, fan-approved vocalist Delbert McClinton. At the time of this release, McClinton hadn't done a studio effort since 1981's somewhat disappointing Plain From the Heart. The gift of I'm With You is that McClinton makes it sound like he had been away for ten days rather then almost ten years. "That's the Way I Feel" is an effortless country blues bop with great, punchy Memphis by way of Tower of Power styled horns. Unlike many artists, McClinton wasn't stingy with a good track, and Jimmy Hall shows up on the old-fashioned "Got You on My Mind" and offers great harmony. Although I'm With You has McClinton is good voice and spirits, the tracks tend to run together, and the results don't click during the first listen. The album standout, "The Real Thing," has McClinton put through the ringer in a good way by a conquest as he bellows the title and the lyrics with glee. The last track, "My Love Is Burnin'," has McClinton extending the album's horny nature with another great vocal. I'm With You was co-produced by McClinton and Muscle Shoals stalwart Barry Beckett. Rather than trying to replicate McClinton's late-'70s sound, I'm With You has subtle touches of the newer commercial and polished country of the time mixed with the soul McClinton is known for. Although many fans may think they've heard this all before and better, this has a way of impressing with repeated plays.