Keep the Fire Burnin'—the second serving
of sonic gumbo from the Crescent City sextet then known as
Louisiana's LeRoux
— offers up another batch of strong material, keeping in line with
the band's self-titled predecessor. The band once again combines
MOR rock with jazz, funk, and of course Creole R&B. Pollard's songwriting
remains consistent, with Haselden also contributing two of the album's
best entries, the affective "Call Home the Heart" and the provocative
fusion-filled "Thunder n' Lightnin'." The opening track boogies
with a tasty Cajun syncopation, highlighted by performances from
Medica and Roddy. The aforementioned "Call Home the Heart" is an
introspective heart/homesick tale from the road.
LeRoux's considerable
vocal harmonies shine during the chorus, bearing rich textural similarities
to the three-part blends created by
America and
the Eagles. As if continuing on a contextual leitmotif, the
driving "When I Get Home" is a celebratory indulgence, sporting
more impressive licks from Roddy and Peters with Roddy's rapid-fire
piano interjected for optimum effect. While on the subject of adding
that little extra something, helping out with a string section score
is legendary arranger
Gene Page on Pollard's power ballad "You Be My Vision." Although
they certainly get the Memphis vibe down,
LeRoux fall
short on their cover of
Otis Redding's "Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)," which sounds too
polished around the edges to be a truly effective reworking. The
jazzy "Feel It" is buoyed by Medica's expressive bass and a sultry
melody recalling "Back Slider" from their first long-player. That
groove carried over onto the excellent "Thunder n' Lightnin'," and
presents a further opportunity to show off the band's superb singing.
Both the relaxed shuffle supporting "Say It (With Your Heart)" and
the funky closer, "Back to the Levee," are worthy of notice, particularly
the latter, as it sets the tone for their next effort, the Jai Winding-produced
Up in 1980. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
Pop Albums information about Keep the Fire Burnin'
on Answers.com. Popular Albums Copyright © 2006 by All Media
Guide. Published by All Media Guide.
If you like LeRoux's first album, you will find
that Keep the Fire Burnin' stays in the same groove. The
tunes bear no resemblance to the band's future Eighties-metal offerings,
and do sound very much like material left over from the Louisiana's
LeRoux recording sessions. The CD's bonus tracks are the icing
on the cake, with airtight, soaring vocals and masterful playing.
The much-too-short standout "Rodeo" evokes a laid-back, surprisingly
country feel that showcases the band's vocal prowess. "Ain't Nothing
But A Gris Gris" is a haunting, funky dose of Cajun voodoo, due
in no small part to Roddy's piano chops—reminiscent of Professor
Longhair—and Medica's trademark syncopation. Finishing off the
CD is "Bon Ton Roulette," a rocking R&B frolic with guitar licks
trading shots with bouncy piano lines, giving the song a New Orleans
melodic vibe reminiscent of "Crazy In Love" from LeRoux's debut
offering. Like that first album, Keep the Fire Burnin' is
a must-have. ~ Bryan Durio
