CD - Solomon Burke: Like A Fire

Since his re-emergence with the excellent "Don't Give Up On Me" circa 2002, Burke has been relatively busy releasing three albums since, of which this is the latest. As on previous outings, Solomon benefits from songwriting contributions from some of his erstwhile supporters/friends; Eric Clapton, Keb Mo, Ben Harper and Jesse Harris are named among the songwriting credits on this effort.

 A relatively low key affair, and in many ways all the better for that - overall, it's a nicely paced album, Solomon's in fine voice and some, but not all the material, is pretty good. Clapton's contributions are amongst the best, the title track in particular proving to be a particularly affecting ballad that latter day Clapton has come to specialise in. Other standouts include 'We Don't Need It' (a Keb Mo contribution), 'A Minute To Rest' (Ben Harper) and Eric's other, more sprightly contribution, 'Thank You'.

There are a few fillers and, despite what others have said, I'd rather not hear Solomon tackle his version of the great American songbook Rod Stewart style, even if 'If I Give My Heart To You' was a song he grew to love though listening to it with his mother. He may well do a fine job artistically, but an album of standards from one of the great soul singers I still think we can well do without. 

This is an OK album, and it will simply be a matter of taste whether or not you prefer this album's low key approach, the high profile "Don't Give Up On Me" or the previous release's direct homage to country music ("Nashville"). It's not going to win over any new converts though, which is someting "Don't Give Up On Me" definitely achieved.

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