*** Darrell Nulisch

THE WHOLE TRUTH

(Severn)

The whole truth is that Darrell Nulisch is one hell of a soul singer -- the kind of guy who can twist a note into a teardrop. His latest solo album brims with his own classic-sounding arrangements -- colored by driving horns, stinging guitars, and bar-room organ and piano. Nulisch's early years on the scene in his native Texas have made him a natural for slow-burners like "Telephone Blues," where you can still hear the plains dust in his voice, a dust unaltered by his recent years in Boston. He slowly swings his way though the verses of "There's a Sad Story Here" even while moaning about his broken-hearted misery. And his gospel-dipped delivery of the opener, "Leaving on the Morning Train," is a sermon on the shout 'n' cry joys of soul music.

Nulisch backs up his vocal prowess with a command of the harp that lets him step to the fore of the instrumentals "At-Cha-Mama-Nims" and "Lyla Tov (Good Night)." That's a skill he hasn't been able to display on stage much in recent years, since he's done most of his touring as vocalist for harmonica master James Cotton. Now, he's once again ready to step out on his own.

-- Ted Drozdowski