Product Description
YATES McKENDREE - NEED TO KNOW
RELEASE DATE JULY 11, 2025. ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!
Producer Kevin McKendree says: "Because of Yates’s lifelong, intense dedication to blues and roots music, he has developed a direct line from his soul to whatever instrument he holds. When he sings and plays, you don’t just hear it, you feel it…deeply. On these recordings you will find him not only singing and playing guitar, but also playing drums, bass guitar, upright bass and organ. But, aside from Yates’s abilities and accomplishments, he is my son! It is the joy of my life to record and perform with him. The amazing musicians on this album are also our closest friends. We hope you will feel the love when you listen. Kevin McKendree" These tracks have not been digitally altered from the original recording sessions. There was no A.I., pitch “correction”, or time “correction” used. So, what you’ll hear is real music played by real people!
YATES McKENDREE
Need To Know
Qualified Records
With his second release on his father’s label, Yates McKendree gives listeners a broader sampling of his impressive skills. His father, the esteemed Kevin McKendree, lends his masterful keyboard playing to the proceedings. The veteran Steve Mackey is back on bass and Yates’ drummer, Griffin Photoglou, appears on half of the tracks. The tasteful rhythm guitar work is courtesy of Robert Frahm, another member of McKendree’s band.
The first three cuts are originals co-written with the award-winning Gary Nicholson, with “Burnin’ Tears” convincingly delving into heartache and pain while “Need To Know You Better” finds McKendree on the road to recovery, slowly opening up to new possibilities. He is on fire on the fast-paced shuffle, “Run It In The Ground,” putting aside future concerns for the allure of a damn good time now. His scorching guitar workout is one of many throughout the recording.
It is apparent that McKendree has sharpened his vocal approach, sounding more confident with extra layers of emotional depth. One example is a cover of Willie Dixon’s “I Can’t Stop,” the younger McKendree reaching into the upper range of his voice for chilling cries that recall the Otis Rush version of the song. Magic Sam’s “Give Me Time” is a soulful ballad with the elder McKendree on electric piano while Yates fills out the arrangement through studio wizardry on guitar, drums, bass, and organ. The up-tempo “Good As Gone” finds him on drums and bass, but it is his mesmerizing guitar excursions that stick with you.
Another highlight is “I Don’t Care,” with McKendree’s brooding vocal punctuated by a four piece horn section. A detour to New Orleans brings a spirited cover of Earl King’s classic “Trick Bag,” and a subdued version of the Chris Kenner hit, “Something You Got,” notable for another beautifully constructed guitar foray.
McKendree handles multiple instruments including the Hammond organ on a funkified cover of “Ode To Billy Joe,” doubling with Photoglou on drums. His organ solo shows he has absorbed his father’s lessons. Yates handles the upright bass while Kevin is on piano, joined by Sean “Mack” McDonald on drums for “I Wanna Go Home,” a striking duet between Yates and McDonald with gospel overtones, referencing the original by Charles Brown and Amos Milburn.
Blues fans should be celebrating all of the young musicians who are invigorating the music with their talent and energy. One run-through of Need To Know will convince you that Yates McKendree stands with others at the forefront of that movement.
– Mark Thompson