The Greg Sherrod Music Company are releasing this dynamic Do You Feel It CD. Featuring Sherrod’s catchy, gripping original songs, his album blends and moves from rock to soul to blues, letting Sherrod apply his slick, slippery vocal to an ever changing genre in each song.
Opening track “Rock Star” finds Sherrod delivers his soulful vocal to describe a hot number he associates with famous rockers. When Sherrod describes the woman in question, one gets a very detailed image. Sherrod then emotes even more as the song moves along. Whether singing alongside his accompaniment or letting his guitarist take over for a bit with a blistering lead phrase, Sherrod is a strong motivational force, taking all instruments, lyrics, and forging them into one solid message.
“Cake (Angel Food) finds Sherrod delivering more of his trademark soul-drenched voice. Here, he’s more blues and R&B in his approach, filling the spaces left open by a bluesy harmonica and flinty organ, like old school singers from Memphis and Motown. Sherrod’s support band, too, play a flavorful RB style, funky guitar riffs and a grooving rhythm section.
Sherrod performs like a jam host or film director on “Do You Feel it?” This singer seems to be cuing, with expert timing, a slappy organ, a pushy rhythm section, and a fiery lead guitar player who launches into a rock eruption as well as leading his chorus of backing singers. Making himself the controlling center lets Sherrod spin all of these fun, funky elements around him. All of the moving parts are what makes this tune a personal favorite with some listeners.
Going for a mellow soul feeling, Sherrod coos his way into “Perfect Day,” a easeful, flowing tune that reminds of the best ballads from artists like Bill Withers, The Commodores., and Harry Connick Jr. Sherrod expands his emotive outreach, making the listener feel his casual acceptance that he cannot have what he feels what could have been a great love. Waves of horn and an expansive lead guitar phrase complete the wide feel and warm appeal of this song. It’s large and it moves like a cloud on a gentle summer breeze.
“Gangster” showcases Sherrod’s ability to lyrically lay out corrupt companies, compromised politicians, and other bigwigs who are more liable for today’s ills than a youth who gets involved with crime because his options are limited by the true criminals or “Gansters.” Compassion emerges from all of Sherrod’s muscular and soulful croon, making the listener feel it when he delivers his insights into social injustice.
Feeling upbeat and sunny, “Mercy” recalls the happy vibe of songs by The Isley Brothers, The Spinners, and Marvin Gaye. Sherrod delivers a bright vocal timbre and hopeful attitude when he raises his vocal dynamic over catchy piano chords. A good singer can hit all the right notes, but a great one can put across a personality and an attitude with seemingly little effort. Sherrod, in how he cruises over catchy piano and edgy guitar, proves he his clearly in the latter category.
“Cold Hard Facts” struts along an inviting piano line. Over that keyboard melody is Sherrod’s graceful glide. This number lets Sherrod groove mellow, tossing his warm vibe back and forth over the keys, lively motion aplenty then using vocal sustains to add further movement to this movable number.
“Cake (Devil’s Food)” is a bit edgier than this album’s previous version. Yet, soulful vocals and a sensation of motion remain similar and it’s an interesting take on an already good song.
Close out track “I’m Pulling For You,” a breezy R&B affair, features old-fashioned horns playing something that sounds rooted in the late 1950s to early 1960s. Those swirling horns and Sherrod’s amicable vocal tone make this an accessible and enjoyable tune.
Greg Sherrod and his assemblage of players break down into three different bands: The Get Down in Providence, Rhode Island; The Black Sheep in Niantic, Connecticu; and Our Musical Family. Together, they are The Greg Sherrod Music Company and they all rock right out and boogie it down all through this Do You Feel It album.
The various players are Mark Garabian, Mark Gentile, Michael Melio, Jon Thomas, Nick Cancelmo, Chris Daniels, Steve Tavares, Zachary Fenner, Anthony Smith, and Mark Koschwitz, Nina J., Julie Zito, Butterworth, Ray DeFaico, Eric LaStrange, Kevin Lowther, Jenna Ramos, Ryan Piccolo Ben Marcotte, and Dave Cafro.
Produced by Greg Sherrod and engineered by “Magic” Jack Gauthier at Lakewood West Studios in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, Do You Feel It maintains a bouyant, bouncy fun party vibe from beginning to end.
CD Release Party with Corinne Southern this Friday night at Askew in Providence, Rhode Island. 7:00 p.m. https://thegregsherrodband.weebly.com/
