if i Had my Way

Roger LaBarge is a true"River Traveling Man" as he sings in one of his songs.

My Appreciation is the 1991 album credited to comedian Bill Cosby. Unlike his better known work, this one is not comedic nor does it have any of his dialogue, but is a serious jazz project going back to his love of jazz. Released by Verve Digital, Cosby's actual contributions to the songs are minimal, allowing people like Jimmy Health, Bobby Watson, Ben Riley, and Mavis Staples to dominate. Essentially, it is a Bill Cosby album in name only.

With nearly 30 years of experience, Junior Watson has reached cult status. A founding member of The Mighty Flyers he stayed with the band for 10 years. He then left to join Canned Heat for 10 years. He then toured for a while with LA-based harmonica player/vocalist Lynwood Slim. All along the way this great guitarist has backed up and recorded with a who's-who of the blues including Big Mama Thorton, George Smith, Jimmy Rogers, Shakey Jake, Luther Tucker, Charlie Musselwhite, Kim Wilson, William Clark and many more. In the past Junior has always been the sideman or featured guest. Here, for the first time in his career, he has a band that is taking the back seat and having Junior do all the driving. For the first time you can hear this amazing, original artist at the forefront.

"Royal Rappin's" certainly looks great on paper it's the pairing of two of music's most loquacious and sexually geared acts, Millie Jackson and Isaac Hayes but despite all its potential, the album doesn't impress quite like it could have. A few years earlier, Hayes recorded a live double album with Dionne Warwick and the sparks were more than genuine. With Jackson and the declining Muscle Shoals sound though, it seems more like a terrible blind date that can't end soon enough. Part of the problem is that Hayes doesn't have any production duties and is basically dropped into a Millie Jackson album. There are a few good moments, however.