The list of heavyweights who join George Duke on 1975's I Love the Blues: She Heard My Cry is impressive – some of the participants include Johnny "Guitar" Watson, singer Flora Purim, percussionist Airto Moreira, guitarist Lee Ritenour, drummer Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, and guitarist George Johnson (of Brothers Johnson fame). With such a cast, one would expect this 1975 LP to be outstanding, which it isn't. But it's a respectable effort that thrives on diversity.
When this album was recorded in 1960, this laconic Mississippian wasn't the brilliant lyricist he would later become. But he had great taste. The title track, written by Willie Dixon, sure sounds like a Mose song; "Fool's Paradise" is another gem. Mose's four tunes are instrumentals. The production by Teo Macero makes it feel like you're perched on one end of the piano bench.
This is such an awesome and unique album. Linda recorded this music right after she adopted a child. The love and tenderness of these amazing songs is so refreshing. Queen's "We Will Rock You" is done in a way you would never imagine. You can hear the heartbeat, almost as if you were inside the womb and listening to your own mother's heartbeat. It's just simply amazing. All of the songs a beautiful and Linda's incomparable voice is exquisite.