What is likely to happen when four A-list musical masterminds, with help from other elite musicians, come together to create a piece of artistic beauty? You receive a brilliant recording that is sure to satisfy even the most brutal critics. With that in mind, the way this recording was birthed is amazing in itself.
Louisiana-born Marc Broussard’s brand new release, Chance Worth Taking (on KTBA Records), offers fourteen tracks of masterfully done music and is his first venture into creating a total blues project. With bandmates and writing partners like Joe Bonamassa, Josh Smith, Calvin Turner, Reese Wynans, and Trombone Shorty (not to mention some other really great support from others), you can see why this album is an almost sure bet for success.
You can also scratch your head about how it came to be. Calvin Turner sent Broussard fifteen instrumental tracks with the idea of creating a total blues album. Broussard then put lyrics to the tracks in three days, and the cuts were polished up in the studio with the others involved in the recording. In the end, Chance Worth Taking was created.
Marc Broussard, already known for his soulful R&B-styled vocals, awards, and successes (along with twelve studio albums, three EPs, and one live album), may have very well found a new place to call home, considering his vocal performances on this album.
Trying to highlight a few of my favorite tracks on Chance Worth Taking has proved to be a daunting task, for sure. The album, as a whole, is that good.
“Trying To Do Right” features Joe Bonamassa with his always masterful guitar work. Broussard sings, “Keep trying to do right, but I keep on doing wrong.” Most of us have probably visited that exact place before in our own lives.
The fourth cut of this great collection is “No More,” and it’s a bluesy number, for sure, about love gone wrong. Anybody here know what I’m talking about? I bet most of us do. “Why don’t you miss me no more? Help me understand.” The guitar in this one is literally crying, or at least it sounds that way to me. Check it out for yourself.
“Satisfaction Guaranteed” is a dancing, good-time song that you can almost visualize. Broussard sings, “It’s getting harder and harder to breathe. Come home with me, darling, satisfaction guaranteed.” I love the guitar opening on this hot number, and the background vocals are really special.
The last two tunes on Chance Worth Taking are “Laissez Street Parade,” which is a short introduction to the last song on the recording, “Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler” (translated, that is, “let the good times roll”).
These two pieces feature Trombone Shorty, and they are, for sure, letting the good times roll on these two tunes. There’s plenty of funky-styled, Cajun-flavored horns and percussion. “Tell you what I’m gonna do; gonna throw away my blues.” “Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler. Just like them folks down home say.”
These guys couldn’t have chosen a better way to bring this impressive masterpiece to a conclusion. From start to finish, this brand new recording showcases some of the finest playing and singing available anywhere.
Chance Worth Taking may be Marc Broussard’s first totally blues-oriented effort, but those who listen to this album will likely anxiously look forward to a similar follow-up in the near future.
Broussard is quoted as saying, “I’m still more versed in soul music than in blues, but I’m getting an education in the genre and its history from Joe and Josh.”
It would be great to hear more blues-influenced recordings coming from Broussard as he continues to navigate the outstanding career that he’s already established. As I always do, I encourage you to go out and catch Marc Broussard live as he tours in the U.S. during April and May.
Grab a copy of Chance Worth Taking. It will be one of those recordings that you will find yourself listening to over and over.
The Review: 9.5/10
Can’t Miss Tracks
– Trying To Do Right
– No More
– Satisfaction Guaranteed
– Laissez Street Parade
– Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler
The Big Hit
– Satisfaction Guaranteed
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