Archive Review: Lightnin Malcolm's Rough Out There (2013)

Steve “Lightnin” Malcolm was schooled in the blues by none other than the notoriously cranky T-Model Ford, the guitarist later receiving an advanced degree by hanging around and playing with various members of the Burnside and Kimbrough families in Northern Mississippi. Malcolm was one-half of the Two Man Wrecking Crew with drummer Cedric Burnside, the duo releasing a pair of well-received albums before Malcolm stepped out to record his acclaimed 2011 solo debut Renegade. A couple years later, Malcolm is paying the bills by touring with his buddies in the North Mississippi Allstars, releasing a sophomore album on his own indie label. Rough Out There pretty much picks where Renegade left off, the new album showcasing a similar mix of ramshackle No. MS blues styles and juke-joint rhythms driven by Malcolm's fiery, over-clocked fretwork. 

As engaging as Malcolm can often be, some of this stuff borders on the embarrassing. The title track, for example, offers a mix of old-school psychedelic soul and modern hip-hop aspirations that might play in nearby Memphis, but crashes and burns in light of the sophistication of today's bluesmen-and-women. Much better are Malcolm's more heartfelt moments, like the enchanting “Dellareesa,” with its island lilt, the song's frothy pop construct matching 1970s-era soul with a contagious melody and swaying rhythms. The haunting “Mama” reminds of Shuggie Otis, with wistful vocals and swirling, innovative guitarplay while “Reality Check” blends Bob Marley with British blues-rock in an interesting and entertaining musical experiment. 

A man out of time with contemporary blues currents, Malcolm is at his best when shooting straight from the hip, and while the production on Rough Out There is steady in spite of what was surely a low budget, the guitarist would benefit from a guiding hand in the studio to help shape his lofty (and often inspired) artistic vision and highlight his obvious talents. Grade: B- (ShakeDown Records, released Septmber 10th, 2013)