I was pretty bummed out on New Year's Day to read that Bobby Womack has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Frankly, it just isn't fair. The man beats colon cancer after experiencing a well deserved career resurgence after collaborating with Damon Albarn on Gorillaz' third LP Plastic Beach and his own 2012 LP The Bravest Man In The Universe, only to end up with Alzheimer's... at this point I'm almost tempted to suggest that Bobby's entering Book of Job territory (in which God gives Satan the OK to put the screws to righteous man Job to test his faith), and that's a damn shame. Like many who missed Bobby in his heydey I fell for Bobby Womack after Tarantino brilliantly used "Across 110th Street" for the opening credits to Jackie Brown; I liked the sand in his soulful voice that gave it grit and wisdom as he sang about life and it's joys and pains, and it was a real joy to hear that voice unexpectedly summoning fire the first time I heard the first single off of Plastic Beach, "Stylo."
I also wholeheartedly approved of Damon Albarn's plans to produce Womack's most recent album, which would become the sonically up to the minute Bravest Man In The Universe. Leaving the retro soul to Daptone Records, Albarn chose instead to position Bobby as a clarion voice from the past singing to us right now, and the result was adventurous, unflinching, and very heavy, especially after it was reported that he was battling cancer. The man was taking stock, reporting what he'd seen so far on his life's journey, and offering hard earned encouragement to persevere. It's a piercingly beautiful and raw album, and in all honesty, I probably should have given it more love in my Best of 2012 list. Hell, Bobby and Albarn even coax a decent performance of Lana Del Rey. But there were sweeter sounds last year and my ears gravitated towards them and away from such weighty matters (ie I was shallow), and admittedly mistakes were made. My bad, Bobby.
Now some might be asking "what the hell is this guy going on about? Bobby Womack's not dead yet," and that's a fair point. The thing is, there's no cure for Alzheimer's, and I can offer eyewitness testimony that it's a disease that diminishes it's victim to death, gradually or precipitously, in front of their family's eyes. It's going to be rough for him and his family, and my thoughts are with all of them. As of right now, these are inescapable facts. It is what it is.
Of course, Bobby Womack's going to face it all bravely; he is after all "the bravest man in the universe," and I still think there's still more to come from him as he enters this phase of his life. Hell, they didn't call him "The Preacher" for nothing. And if there's not, The Bravest Man In The Universe is an exceptional and fitting capstone to a storied and valued career that's spanned over 40 years, and more importantly it's an album of hard earned love and hope during these turbulent and sometimes troubled times. I thank him for it, and for his lifetime of incredible music, and wish him well during the tough times ahead. Good luck and much love, Bobby Womack.
0 comments
Post a Comment