Motivational Speaker

Recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, Motivational Speaker offers a window into the musical soul of Alvin Youngblood Hart. Kicking off with 'Big Mama's Door (Might Return)', Alvin reprises the title track from his all-acoustic debut, heavier and a whole lot louder, joined by his pal Audley Freed (Cry of Love, Black Crowes). Motivational Speaker is a James Gang/Led Zeppelin-flavored nod to the garage band spirit, followed by 'Stomp Dance', which was inspired by a Creek Indian theme. There are seven Alvin Youngblood Hart originals on the CD, plus a rock spiritual, a prison lament, an obscure Free B-side, and songs originally performed by Otis Redding, Doug Sahm, and Johnny Paycheck--pretty much everything except acoustic blues. Why? Because Alvin played acoustic blues on his last record, and Alvin likes to keep things fresh. Guest stars on Motivational Speaker include Audley Freed, Robert Kearns (Bottle Rockets), Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), and Jim Dickinson. Musicrama. 2005.