Living on Mercy

by Dan Penn

Overview

Dan Penn doesn't hurry. It took him a full 26 years to deliver Living on Mercy, his sequel to 1994's Do Right Man, a good stretch of time by any measure, so it follows that the album itself glides by at a relaxed pace. Occasionally, the record works up a head of steam -- "Edge of Love" gets down and dirty with its gritty guitars and sweaty horns -- but nothing on the album is revved up, which may be appropriate for a man just a few years shy of his 80th birthday. Penn does sound comfortable in his skin, possibly even a little weathered, throughout Living on Mercy, yet there's a honeyed quality to his singing; he's seasoned but he's not old. The same sentiment could be applied to the songs on Living on Mercy, some of which are new, some of which were handed out to other musicians over the years. When collected on Living on Mercy -- and delivered by a crew of empathetic old pros -- they feel of a piece, a sweet, soulful, and reflective effort from a masterful singer/songwriter that benefits from its mellowness and slow, assured gait. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	10/23/2020
Label:	The Last Music Company
UPC:	5052442013501
Rank:	27636

Tracks

1. Living on Mercy
2. See You in My Dreams
3. I Do
4. Clean Slate
5. What It Takes to Be True
6. I Didn't Hear That Coming
7. Down on Music Row
8. Edge of Love
9. Leave It Like You Found It
10. Blue Motel
11. Soul Connection
12. Things Happen
13. One of These Days

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Dan Penn   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background)
Milton Sledge   Drums
Drew White   Trumpet
Charles Rose   Trombone
Buzz Cason   Vocals (Background)
Doug Moffet   Sax (Tenor),Sax (Baritone)
Will McFarlane   Guitar
Michael Rhodes   Bass
Marie Lewey   Vocals (Background)
Cindy Walker   Vocals (Background)
Clayton Ivey   Strings,Keyboards

Technical Credits

Charles Rose   Arranger
Buzz Cason   Composer
Jimmy Nutt   Engineer
Bucky Lindsey   Composer
Ron Laury   Engineer,Mixing Engineer
Eddie McNees   Cover Photo,Photography
Jake Kiser   Assistant Engineer
Wayne Carson   Composer
Spooner Oldham   Composer
Dan Penn   Composer,Engineer,Producer,Mixing Engineer
Will McFarlane   Composer
Billy Lawson   Engineer,Mastering
Ernie Cate   Composer
Earl Cate   Composer
Clayton Ivey   Leader
Carson Whitsett   Composer
Joe Funderburk   Track Engineer
Gary Nicholson   Composer