Yates McKendree
Need To Know
By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © August 2025
Need To Know is the second release from Yates McKendree - the 23 year old with a resume and experience that many veterans of any genre might envy. As always, I've attached a link to his website at the bottom of this review, and I highly recommend a read of his very impressive bio.
On this project, Yates - on vocals, lead guitar, drums, bass, organ, upright bass, and washer & dryer...hmmm - is joined by: the album's producer, Kevin McKendree - a.k.a. dad - on piano, electric piano, Hammond organ, bass guitar, and guitar; Robert Frahm on rhythm and lead guitar; Griffin Photoglou on drums; George Sluppick and Kenneth Blevins on drums and percussion: Steve Mackey on bass guitar; Jim Hoke on tenor & baritone saxes and horn arrangements; Steve Herrman on trumpet; John Hinchey on trombone; and Sean "Mack" McDonald on vocals and drums. Of the album's thirteen tracks, Yates had a pen in five and the other eight are covers.
The disc opens with "Burnin' Tears" - a track Yates co-wrote with Gary Nicholson - and if first impressions mean anything, it's apparent that this is going to be one hell of a next forty-five minutes for me. An interesting point made by Kevin in the liner notes is that "Yates has a direct line from his soul to whatever instrument he holds". As far as this listener is concerned, that direct line from his soul also connects to his voice. Between his upbringing and his youth, it's hard to imagine Yates having to endure many hardships as of yet - then you listen to him put his heart and soul into a song and you'd swear differently.
The extended title track - "Need To Know You Better" - another from the minds of Yates and Gary, finds Yates throwing caution to the wind. Regretfully, having given his heart too quickly and too easily in the past, his new approach is telling new acquaintances "I need to know you better if I'm gonna be your man". As will be the case with pretty much all of these tracks, being led by Kevin's mastery on the Hammond organ, the rhythm is outstanding; and if you're familiar with Yates, it goes without say that he's killing in the lead guitar.
Another one penned by Yates and Gary, is a rocker titled "Run It In The Ground". It features the rhythm section of Kevin on piano, Robert Frahm on guitar, Griffin Photoglou on drums and Steve Mackey on bass all in a fast and furious jam mode, while Yates rocks out on scorching guitar leads.
"I Don't Care" (J. Brown) is the only track that features the horn section and flat out, Jim Hoke, Steve Herrman and John Hinchey absolutely highlight this one. Additionally, on top of emotionally singing his heart out, Yates adds some interesting piano notes throughout the track.
Showcasing some seriously old school style of singing - howls included - Yates absolutely shines on his rendition of Willie Dixon's "I Can't Stop". Then there's his killer blues guitar licks. Had he been around back then - and sometimes he sounds like he was - I'm sure Yates would be on that list of fabulous guitarist Willie worked with.
Creating the music of a six piece band, the father and son duet are raising all kinds of hell on "Good As Gone" (K. McKendree, D. Duncan). This smoker features Yates on the vocals, lead guitar, drums and bass, while Kevin wails away on the organ and plays second guitar as well. Wow!
Sounding like they were sitting around someone's living room just relaxing and fooling around with their instruments - and for all I know this is exactly how it may have happened - Yates (vocals & upright bass), Kevin (piano), and Sean McDonald (vocals & drums) do justice to the Charles Brown classic "I Wanna Go Home".
The disc closes with an original of Yates' titled "Tide", and fittingly so, this is the track that features him on the washer and dryer - as well as guitars, bass and Hammond organ. On this instrumental he is joined by George on percussion and between them, they oddly enough create quite a bunch of well organized noise. Just to give you some kind of a clue, you know that sound the dryer makes when you put your wet sneakers in it? Well it's kind of happening here with drum sticks in it as well, and yet, it's all quite enjoyable. This may just be that fine line between genius and insanity I've heard about. LOL
Other tracks on Need To Know - which could get Yates a few more Blues Music Award nods as his debut release did - include: "Trick Bag" (E. King); "Something You Got" (C. Kenner); "See See Rider" (Trad, arranged by Yates); "Give Me Time" (S. Maghett); and "Ode To Billy Joe" (B. Gentry).
Find out more about Yates McKendree, just go to his website - www.yatesmckendree.com. Remember, wherever you go and whomever you speak with, please tell them their friend the Blewzzman sent you. Blewzzman sent you.
