D.K. Harrell

Talkin’ Heavy

Alligator Records

D.K. Harrell was born D’Kieran Harrell in Ruston, Louisiana in 1998. He first heard B.B. King when he was two years old and responded by trying to sing along. As a boy, he sang in the  church choir while continuing to be drawn to the blues. Films like The Blues Brothers, Ray, and Cadillac Records made him eager to sing and play. He received his first guitar when he  was twelve, and by sixteen was writing his own songs. He studied every B.B. King video he could find and learned his tone, finesse, stagecraft, and band leadership skills. At a B.B. King Symposium in Indianola, Mississippi, he played “The Thrill Is Gone” on Lucille, King’s iconic  guitar, backed by members of King’s touring band. In 2022 Harrell won the B.B. King Of The Blues Award for Preserving Traditional Blues Heritage from the Jus’ Blues Music Foundation.  In addition he fell under the spell of other blues masters including Albert King, Freddie King, Elmore James, and Muddy Waters. In 2023, his debut album “The Right Man” was released on the Little Village label to rave reviews. His immediate success led him to win the prestigious Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist from The Blues Foundation.

On this new album D.K. Harrell, lead guitar and vocals; is joined by  core band including  producer Kid Anderson, rhythm guitar; Jim Pugh, organ and piano; Andrew Moss, bass; either June Core, or Derrick D’Mar’ Martin, drums; Vicki Randle, percussion and congas; Lisa Leuschner Andersen, backing vocals; and the horn section of Aaron Lington, baritone sax, tenor sax, and horn arrangements; Mike Rinta, trombone; and Niel Levonus, trumpet. Other musicians also contribute their talents.

The album opens with “A Little Taste” as Harrell sings “playing hard to get when your  feeling just the same…I just want a little taste…I feel so weak now as if you took my soul… I must admit your lovin’ was worth the wait, you more than just gave me a little taste”. On “Grown Now”, Harrell belts “I ain’t beggin’ for a loan now…I can make it on my own, I’m  grown now…let’s get down to business like Al Capone…I’m grown now”…with some great bass.

On the title track, “Talkin’ Heavy” Harrell chimes “Talkin’ heavy just take a look at the news …you can see it all around, the world is heavy with the blues, talkin’ heavy every day it’s in the news, the world is heavy with the blues”. “PTLD”, “we used to love to party…everybody dancin’ with a smile on their face…post traumatic love disorder…I tried to pull myself  together to get back on my feet, but PTLD is hard to beat”.

“Life’s Lessons”, is a slow blues, “when I was a kid, grandpa put me on his knee, I know  your daddys gone but you should listen to life’s lessons…you’ll never see the sun shine till you make it thru the rain…be kind to everyone you meet, these are a few of life’s lessons” as Terry Hanck supplies some saxophone fills. “Good Man” was written by Little Village  Foundation’s founder keyboardist Jim Pugh, “maybe you think I’m blue, well things are what they seem…if your looking for love, I’m a good man…I’m gonna love you baby, heaven only  knows ’cause, I’m a good man” while Tia Carroll and Cathy Lemons provide the backing vocals.

“Vibe Like Me” includes the fabulous horn section and the lyric “I want you to vibe with me  baby, put your mind at ease, I’ve made plans for this evening…we’re gonna make love like nothing you ever felt, I want you to vibe with me, I’ll take care of everything while you have a lovely dream”. “Into The Room”, “I’m trying hard to play it close to the vest, I feel the tingle of love everytime I hear someone speak your name, everytime you walk, into the room”.  “No Thanks To You”, I got a roof over my head, no thanks to you, I got a king-sized bed, no thanks to you…I got these king-sized blues, no thanks to you, when I needed you the most, you we’re no where around, I did it on my own, no thanks to you”. On “Liquor Stores and  Legs”, Harrell chants, yea my bills can wait now cause I’m going out instead…need some  late night action, the only things open-up late are liquor stores and legs”.

“What Real Men Do”, Harrell croons “I can prove that I’m different, everything I say will come true, that’s what real men are supposed to do, if you put on a little weight, that’s just more to love, ’cause that’s what real men are supposed to do”. On the gospel infused closer “Praise These Blues”, Harrell sings “if you go to church on Sunday…everything will be alright, if you praise these blues…they say the blues is the devil’s music, but I don’t believe that’s true …everything will be alright if you praise these blues”.

Guitarist Kid Andersen, also produced Harrell’s debut album, “The Right Man”. On this new  album, Harrell has written or co-written eleven of the twelve songs. The songs are delivered  with some emotive and masterful vocal passion. Harrell has cemented his stature on “Talkin’  Heavy”. Sit back and enjoy his intense, unvarnished honesty.

Richard Ludmerer

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