because, somehow, four years after its release, I’m only finding about this album now, Nick Francis’ debut album Changes. I have no doubt that it will be the best album of the year for me, and most likely the best album of the decade. That’s how good it is!
Without further ado, let me introduce my three tunes for Three Tune Tuesday.
One: This Time, by Nick Francis
This song is so rich. From the opening notes, the keyboard, the bass line, and the accompanying horn section lead us right into an undeniably funky groove that is balanced perfectly by Neal’s vocals and the lyrics. It’s a sound of a bygone era that is somehow made to sound more original than the artists that no doubt influenced it.
Which brings me to song number two.
Two: Live Wire, by The Meters
If you’re familiar with The Meters, then you will have immediately recognized their influence all over Nick Francis’ song This Time (and the entire Changes album actually).
If you’re not familiar with The Meters, listen to the bass line in the turn around of Live Wire and the notes of the keyboard. I think you’ll agree that they are very similar to the bass and keys of This Time.
Three: I’m Easy, by Bozz Scaggs
Last, I’m Easy, from the self-titled Bozz Scaggs album of 1969. I can’t listen to Nick Francis’ album without recalling Bozz Scaggs. The driving rhythms, the backing horns, the hard, hammering keys, the touches of country twang and rhythm and blues, they all mix together in a very similar way.
If any of these are albums that you haven’t heard in their entirety, they are all well worth your time.
ENJOY
