Sonny Gullage - Go Be Free (2024)

Tracklist

01. Just Kiss Me, Baby
02. Go Be Free
03. Things I Can't Control
04. Separate Ways
05. Worried About the Young (feat. Christone "Kingfish" Ingram)
06. Blues All Over You
07. I've Been There
08. Stop That Stuff
09. Tattooed Wings
10. Hot House
11. File It Under Blues
12. Home to You

Here is a new name on the scene, a young man from New Orleans in his mid-twenties who sings, plays piano and writes the songs, Sonny Gullage is one to watch. Sonny was born into a musical family: his father Tony is a professional bassist who has played with Dr John and Henry Butler, his grandmother, Sister Alberta Gullage, recorded gospel music in the 1960’s and the family is believed to be distantly related to Heddie Ledbetter (Lead Belly). Sonny has been performing in New Orleans and in Europe, but this is his debut album release. Recorded at Tom Hambridge’s studio in Nashville, with Tom producing, the album consists of twelve songs written mainly by Sonny and Tom, Richard Fleming and Blind Pig boss Jeff Schroedl also contributing. Sonny had a hand in ten of the songs, sings lead on all tracks and plays piano. A team of familiar names from Hambridge productions appears, with Tom on drums, Kenny Greenberg on guitar, Kevin McKendree on keys and bass duties split between Tommy MacDonald and Rob Cureton; horns on two tracks are by Max Abrams (sax) and Julio Diaz (trumpet) and Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram guests on guitar on one cut.

The first thing to note is how good a vocalist Sonny is, whether he is tackling a funky number like opener “Just Kiss Me Baby” or delivering full-on gospel tones, as he does on several tracks, notably “Home To You”, a stately tribute to his loved one at home, Sonny’s lonely piano supported by warm backing, including plaintive horns, making a fine ending to the album. In between those bookends Sonny delivers a full range of styles that suit his voice, particularly elements of soul, gospel and blues. The horns’ second appearance is on one of the two songs that Sonny did not write, “Things I Can’t Control” and “Hot House” is another funky tune with heavy guitar. The title track sounds like a revival tent with rapid handclaps, drums and bass behind Sonny’s vocals and “File It Under Blues” rattles along as Sonny draws a line under a relationship that has run its course.

Mid-album there is a great run of songs that brings out the very best in Sonny, both as singer and writer. “Separate Ways” is a fine ballad about a break-up, with delicate guitar figures behind Sonny’s emotional vocal as he makes a plea for reconciliation, while “Worried About The Young” is a well-crafted song about some of the issues that face young people trying to make their way in the world: “kids are starting out, already deep in debt, can’t find a decent job, they take what they can get”. Sonny’s concerns about how the world is going are further underlined by Kingfish’s excellent guitar work here.

“Blues All Over You” is a shuffle with great piano and chugging guitar before another gorgeous ballad, Sonny empathizing with another person’s problems, telling them “I’ve Been There”. “Stop That Stuff” opens with Sonny’s laughter and then proceeds to rock out with pounding bass/drums and rockabilly guitar, a short interlude before another emotional hit with “Tattooed Wings”. This one is a late night blues ballad with piano to the fore. Sonny has clearly been misled: “Thought you were an angel, looks like I was wrong about that. Should have seen it coming with those tattooed wings on your back. While I was waiting on an angel, found a devil instead”.

This is an impressive debut album, Sonny’s vocals strong throughout and his songwriting impressing, particularly on the more emotional ballads. With Tom Hambridge’s production skills and a solid band behind him there is plenty to enjoy here and the whole album whets the appetite to see and hear more from Sonny Gullage.

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