Roadhouse legend Delbert McClinton comes up with a grand slam at the spry age of nearly 70, and nearly 35 years after such definitive discs as Victim of Life’s Circumstances and Genuine Cowhide. Yeah, his voice may show a little wear and tear from his long journey. But McClinton uses its raw and rough edges to his full advantage, especially on such classic heartbreak ballads as “Never Saw It Coming,” “Wouldn’t You Think (Should’ve Been Here By Now),” “Out Of My Mind” and the tango-flavored “She’s Not There Anymore,” summoning up all the emotional resonance the words and themes imply within sparse arrangements that put him dead center. Those songs are the most impressive and seductive among the 14 on Acquired Taste, but nearly just as winning are his soulful romps like “Mama’s Little Baby” (a clever rewrite of the old plantation song “Shortnin’ Bread”), the purist honky-tonk of “Can’t Nobody Say I Didn’t Try” and the deep and lowdown blues of “I Need To Know.” Sure, some credit should go to über-producer Don Was for his savvy help here, and the players are top-shelf, too. But Acquired Taste is first and fore- most a tribute to McClinton’s own musical mas- tery and a grand testament to his staying power. Not only is this his fourth strong studio album of the decade, it’s one of the finest albums, ever.
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