Rita Coolidge - Nice Feelin' (1971/2018)

It is amazing given the exposure Rita Coolidge obtained through the Mad Dogs & Englishmen soundtrack that her second album for A & M is such a cult item. Covers of songs by Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Graham Nash, and participation by names like Al Kooper, Glyn Johns, Bruce Botnick, and Marc Benno should have made this record her breakthrough. Instead, it took quite a few more discs before she would hit the Top 40 on her own with her eighth solo album, Anytime, Anywhere. Asylum Choir member Marc Benno's "Family Full of Soul" opens the album with wonderful bluesy pop resplendent in guitars, vibes, and Coolidge's distinctive voice. As guitarist Benno gets two compositions on this album, so does keyboardist Mike Utley, and his co-write "You Touched Me in the Morning" is a far cry from the slick, similarly titled Diana Ross hit. These authentic tunes and performances are so soulful and moving it is stunning to think that it takes a bright and intelligent audience to seek out and find music this important, music this good. Parallel to the sounds generated by Bonnie Bramlett's various ensembles, the title track by Marc Benno is sheer brilliance; but then again, so is "I'll Be Here," which leads off side two, the swelling organ raising Coolidge's voice into the space where angels dwell on this Jimmy Lewis tune. Graham Nash's "Better Days" works so well in this company as the band changes their approach to the music, David Anderle's production brimming with deep drumbeats and a more majestic go at the sound created by labelmate Joe Cocker and his Grease Band. "Lay My Burden Down" is laced with gospel, and you can hear the future hit sound as Coolidge takes Dylan's "'Most Likely You'll Go Your Way" and makes it her own. Neil Young's "Journey Through the Past" also is transformed by this band, producer, and singer, creating an atmosphere that demands attention. A pity that the radio-listening public doesn't have the opportunity to hear what is inside this beautifully packaged and well-crafted set of recordings.