Rescue Me

by Lindsay PlanerRescue Me (1975) was the final Roy Buchanan (guitar) studio album under his deal with Polydor Records. But, a loophole allowed the company control of his catalog outside of North America. Thus, a similar eight-song collection that bears the moniker In the Beginning (1974) is the U.S. equivalent. Buchanan's inimitable manipulation of the strings and equally definitive skills as an interpretive voice are without question the most cohesive factor on this otherwise limiting affair. In addition to the Tower of Power horns, Buchanan is joined by Neil Larsen (keyboards), Kenny Tibbetts (bass), Bill Stewart (drums), and at the suggestion of Ed Freeman, Billy Sheffield (vocals). The opening track "Rescue Me" -- a cover of the 1965 Fontella Bass hit -- fails to truly ignite behind Sheffield's less than inspired pseudo-soul. The groove becomes decidedly stronger however, as the entire band gets in sync for Al Green's "I'm a Ram." One of the best pieces is the interpretation of Joe Zawinul's "Country Preacher," which takes the Cannonball Adderley (sax) tune to a new and thoroughly satisfying level. The instrumental shines under the influence of Buchanan's alternately stinging and wounded fretwork. Nick Gravenites and Michael Bloomfield's "You're Killing My Love" retains the Muscle Shoals sound that Otis Rush used on the original. The platter concludes with Buchanan weaving an intimate and bluesy adaptation of "Wayfaring Stranger" titled "Wayfairing Pilgrim."