Delbert McClinton
Rocking the Boat: A Musical Conversation & Journey (JC Communications)Music cruises are big business these days, due in part to the success of Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Beaches Cruise, which began in 1995. Part biography, part concert film, Rocking the Boat offers details of McClinton’s life through interviews and conversation with his compadres interspersed between live performances recorded during the 2006 excursion. Fans of his Texas blues and Southern soul are likely to appreciate this journey the most; others might find it uneven. Besides McClinton and a huge horn section laying a wallop into “B-Movie Boxcar Blues” and “Shakey Ground,” his featured friends have a decidedly Texas bent, including Marcia Ball, Rodney Crowell, Stephen Bruton, and Mingo Fishtrap. Appearances by lightweights Wayne Toups and Bonnie Raitt wannabe Teresa James slow things down considerably, but McClinton’s history is presented in a way that snaps, including reminisces from old partner Glen Clark (Delbert & Glen) and the rascally Kinky Friedman. The DVD adds an hour of bonus material to the theatrical release, which is only notable for the inclusion of songs by Buddy Miller and Terry Allen. “Life’s good, man,” a tanned McClinton beams toward the film’s end, and Rocking the Boat offers a genial glimpse into how it’s done.
This article appears in September 19 • 2008.