Rudy Ray Moore - CD-21st Century Dolemite-724353498122

Some performers stumble into bad taste. but Rudy Ray Moore has been charging headfirst into the stuff like an advancing army for over 30 years. Eat out More Often (1970). the album that made Moore an underground star. was X-rated party humor that would have made Redd Foxx blanch. and Moores first album of the millennium. the appropriately named 21st Century Dolemite. leaves no doubt that he hasnt mellowed a bit with the passing of time. Moore revived his long-dormant career as an R&B singer. and 21st Century Dolemite is divided between dizzying rude standup comedy and equally raunchy songs that document Moores continuing obsession with sex. As a singer. Moore isnt going to make anyone forget Wilson Pickett or Bobby Womack. but hes not bad. and he has the good sense to talk over the notes he cant hit. As a songwriter. hes far stronger on old school R&B styled numbers like 'Willa Mae' and 'Hip Shakin Papa' than on hip-hop-influenced tracks like 'Put Your Weight on It' or 'ABCs'; while its true enough that Rudy was rappin a decade before they knew what to call it. when it comes to beats he sure aint Timbaland. (Hes also something of a borrower; 'Cabbage Head' is lifted wholesale from an old folk song that the Dubliners made famous as 'Seven Drunken Nights.') Moores comedy and his lyrics both come from exactly the same place. and if the constant parade of anti-PC humor gets a bit tired after 72 minutes. youve got to give Moore credit for consistency -- he knows what his fans want. and he delivers it in super-sized portions here. (Hes also apparently willing to dip into the past as well; 'Do You Call That a Buddy?' appears to be an overdubbed version of a tune cut back in the early 60s. while the comic bits 'Two Soldiers' and 'Press Conference' are retreaded from early-70s recordings.) 21st Century Dolemite proves Rudy Ray Moore is still dedicated to giving his fans the kind of top-quality smut theyve come to expect from him. and if its not a work of warped genius like his older stuff. hes still more imaginatively filthy than anyone else in comedy. And as Rudy would say. 'I aint lyin!' Mark Deming