Album Review: William Bell - "New Lease on Life " (Soul/R&B/Southern Soul/Slow Jams/Southern Fried Erotica) I get a lot of email asking the question "Whatever Happened to the former STAX artists"? Well this album is the answer to at least part of that question. The term "music for grown folks" is one of the most over used cliché's in Black music today. In fact it's been over used so much that I have personally come to despise it. This album is all about real life situations that all of us who are over the age of 30 can easily relate to. My favorite cut on the album is "My Body Don't Know" as song with the familiar theme of "betrayal", however it is the "Ernie Isleyesque Supa Stoopid" guitar solo that makes this song one of the years best. Another song, "Treat Her Right (Like a Lady)" uses...the intro to the Winston's "Color Him Father" to great effect. "Up Close and Personal" is a grat "begging song" in the STAX tradition. Other topics explored in theis album are: "Adult Love/Friendship", Being a Soldier in Iraq", "Escaping to the Caribbean", "Being Played", "Wrath of a Woman Scorned", "World Hunger", "Family Values", etc. So if you are the type of music fan who sits around wondering what the STAX record label might sound like in 2006 if it could have survived, this album is for you. And if you are the type of music fan who has never heard of the STAX record label and couldd care less about it's legacy, then you need this album, in order to discover what good/solid soul music truly sounds like! Track Listings 1. New Lease on Life 2. Playaz Only Love You (When They're Playing) 3. Part Time Lover (Full Time Friend) 4. My Body Don't Know 5. Honey from the Bee 6. You Got a Hold on Me 7. Keep a Light in the Window 8. Got an Island Feelin' 9. Treat Her Right (Like a Lady) 10. Up Close and Personal 11. Save Us 12. Every Sunday Morning --Bob Davis Click here to enter your suggestions and feedback Click Here To Return To The Classic Soul Homepage