Continuing the never-ending quest to remaster and repackage the greatest music you’ve never heard (but definitely should), Light In The Attic’s imprint Future Days has released The Bobby Whitlock Story: Where There’s A Will, There’s A Way collecting the first two early 1970’s solo albums by Memphis singer/songwriter/keyboardist/guitarist Bobby Whitlock. Presented here together on CD, Bobby Whitlock (1972) and Raw Velvet (also 1972) are star-studded soulful albums from one of rock music’s key unsung figures.
During the recording of those albums, Whitlock tentatively made his first steps as a solo artist. Though drugs were already beginning to tear Derek & The Dominos apart, Whitlock was able to call on some high profile friends (and “Friends”) to play on his debut album, including Clapton, Harrison, session bassist Klaus Voormann (John Lennon, Carly Simon, et al), drummer Jim Gordon, Chris Wood (of Traffic) and others. “I really loved my first record and everything that was behind it,” says Whitlock now. “And for the love that was brought to the room by everyone each time we recorded. I know that you can hear it in Eric’s solo on "The Scenery Has Slowly Changed.”
When Bobby presented his album to Atlantic Records, they rejected it, citing a different vision for his debut. So Bobby bought himself out of his contract. Soon after, The Dominos split up following troubled second album sessions. Bobby just kept moving: first back to his rural home in England, then to France where the Rolling Stones were recording Exile On Main Street. He found a deal for his debut album (via producer Jimmy Miller) and a follow-up, too. That second album, Raw Velvet, featured the Edwin Hawkins Singers, the L.A. Symphony, Eric Clapton, Jim Gordon and Bobby’s new band members: Rick Vito on guitar, Keith Ellis on bass, and Don Poncher on drums. Andy Johns co-produced the self-titled debut (with Whitlock) and Jimmy Miller produced the Raw Velvet LP. Andy was the recording engineer of Exile on Main Street and later produced Television’s Marquee Moon. Miller, of course, produced Exile On Main Street.
Pat Thomas, the reissue producer of this CD, told Bobby Whitlock during their first conversation about reissuing these recordings, "Your first two solo albums are the missing link for all this seminal music that has been on CD for years: Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, All Things Must Pass, Mad Dogs & Englishmen, Dave Mason’s Alone Together, and Delaney & Bonnie and Friends On Tour with Eric Clapton.” Bobby paused for a moment and said, “I never thought about it like that, but you’re absolutely right.”
