Anthony Hamilton:
Ain't Nobody Worrying

Release Date: 30 January 2006

Reviewed By: GE Torto

1. Where Did It All Go Wrong

2. Southern Stuff

3. Can't Let Go

4. Ain't Nobody Worryin'

5. Truth

6. Preacher's Daughter

7. Pass Me Over

8. Everybody

9. Sista Big Bones

10. Change Your World

11. Never Love Again

12. I Know What Love's All About

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Whilst some of his neo soul contemporaries seem to reside in a musical state of everlasting sabbaticals, the southern hard-working Anthony Hamilton is churning out material at a comparative rate of knots.

Give or take a few months, a couple of days and some long lost summer hours, ‘Ain’t Nobody Worrying’ is Anthony Hamilton’s third released album in as many years. It goes without saying that his dulcet tones ooze the very sentiment of southern soul, yet it is this instant recognition that has perhaps enabled Anthony Hamilton to come out with as much moving content as he has.

With a voice that would make nursery rhymes soothing to the soul, the risk is always lurking that the material, indeed the feel of the album itself, lacks a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’. ‘Comin’ From Where I’m From’ this is not, but the authenticity and trademark deepness, albeit with a touch less fluidity, are still very much evident throughout.

The title track rings loud with the theme of a society grief-stricken whilst simultaneously whispering a message similar to that of Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’. In ‘The Truth’ exists a deftly balance between textbook simplicity and melodic excellence brought together by an explicit link relating religious devotion and a romantic bond.

In what can only be described as an attempt to prevent the album from becoming conventional and predictable, ‘Everybody’ acts as light-hearted distraction from the soul gospel signature sound. Quite where the old skool reggae theme originated from is unknown, but like a chameleon, Hamilton’s voice floats seemingly without ever standing or sounding out of place.

There lie many religious undertones within this album, but nowhere are they more blatant and perceptible than on ‘Preacher’s Daughter’ and ‘Pass Me Over’; the former being a story telling driven anthem about a good girl gone bad in a sound belonging to the Seventies, the latter being a harmonious compassionate plea for salvation touched by a gospel choir for effect.

Second to religion comes romance in Hamilton’s repertoire of themes, and the quota for plucked heart-stringed numbers is dutifully delivered in true southern soul style. ‘Change Your World’ has film music written all over it, yet it is Hamilton’s sweet, gutsy, unique tone that shreds any association with this love song being traditionally corny. ‘I Know What Love’s All About’ takes a cruise control ride down the light-hearted blues root to powerful effect – and a fitting conclusion to this record.

Hamilton has clearly opted for the subtle stance on this his most recent record and one could quite easily tag this as a ‘grower’, at least if compared to the instantly gratifying ‘Coming From Where I’m From’. However, it is a fool who suggests that ‘Ain’t Nobody Worrying’ is an inferior follow up. Appreciation of such a record can only arrive with time and many a listen. There is unquestionably enough here to state that Anthony Hamilton is making the most of the absence of his fellow ‘soul-jers’.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Top Three Tracks

The Truth

Change Your World

Pass Me Over

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