Otis Clay's "This Time Around" is produced by a close friend, Willie
Mitchell.  His experience in Gospel and Jazz are immediately evident.  Otis seems to have chosen a simplistic approach with this album, kind of a poppish blues sound, which I'm not sure mixes too well.  I get aggravated when a sad story is told and the rhythms outpace my feelings - it's like asking me to dance fast when I'm in the mood to dance slow.  The lyrics are respectable, but the beat is repititive.  In a time of hip-hop, gangsta rap, and R&B, your music better be distinct and cause one to pause and listen.

Otis has a couple of good tracks that have an emotional message, such as
"When Hearts Grow Cold" and "It's Hard To Love," that talk of heartbreak and the pain of broken relationships.  Again, I lost the mood when the pace of the rhythm blows off the blues.  Maybe stronger horn, or slower drums, I'm not sure what I need - which is why the music becomes aggravating and monotonous. I did enjoy the guitar play by Thomas Bingham and the organ demonstration by Charles Hodges though.

"City in the Sky" is my personal favorite.  I finally felt some soul
and strength, it made me move something besides my head.  I even heard a couple of James Brown screams pushing the vibe.  The effort was excellent. But the title track, "This Time Around," is a far cry from what I was listening and expecting to hear.

Otis Clay, with "This Time Around,"  is lacking a feeling or two, and
seems too complacent and flat.  I would like to note that I noticed his lisp
and my son has a lisp, and I respect a man that is not concerned about how it will affect his singing.  Otis is talented, but needs to broaden his horizons if he wishes to gain a larger audience.