Blues Access

July 2000

Sweet soul music, that's what Pittsburgh vocalist Billy Price does, and he does it up on Can I Change My Mind, with songs and stylings that recall folks from Otis Redding to Southside Johnny. Price is best known for his three years as the singer fronting guitar-killer Roy Buchanan's band, including work on two Buchanan albums. Guitar histrionics, however, are not part of the mix on this one. Arrangements are rich without being overdone, supple but tough, and the likely reason behind that is the presence of recording veteran Swamp Dogg, who produced the CD, played keyboards, sang backup, and wrote eight of the ten tunes

Dogg likes to ask the tough questions, as in the tune "What Is Love (And What Makes You Think You Deserve Some)," and deal with the hard truths. But the key is whether Price has it going on, and his smoky, friendly voice is a fine vehicle for delivering the R&B goods. He sounds like a man who takes his infidelity seriously on the entendre-laden "Pass the Sugar," he lifts some of the more pedestrian material up a step or two, and he really opens the door to get out on the floor on Dogg's fun "I Know It's Your Party." (**** four stars)

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