NEW SAM AND DAVE BRING IT HOMEPublication: Richmond Times-DispatchByline: Joe SokohlDate: 03-02-1987Edition: CitySection: Art & TravelMemo: (llh) Music Review"Sweet Soul Music." "Hold On, I'm Coming." "I Take What I Want.""Soul Sister, Brown Sugar." "Bring It On Home to Me." "Soul Man."This list epitomizes Sam and Dave, the quintessential soul music group ofthe late 1960s. Out of South Florida, this duo rode the crest of the soulmusic phenomenon exemplified by Wilson Pickett, James Brown, Otis Reddingand Sam Cooke.A little blues, a little jazz and a lot of rhythm and blues mixed togetherto create the sound so closely associated with the so-called "Big Chill"generation.Dave Prater remains on the road, belting out classic tunes along with hisnew partner, Sam Daniels. Though he has been singing professionally onlysince 1982, Daniels comes out of the Southern gospel tradition. He meldswith Prater to such an extent that neither misses a note in performance.They don't call it "soul music" for nothing. This is music sung andplayed from the heart that speaks to the essence of the listener. It createsa romantic view of reality that is so persuasive you have to believe.It makes you forget about the turmoil the world always seems to be in,just as Sam and Dave allowed people to forget momentarily the strife of the' 60s.Saturday night's show at New Horizon in front of 350 Richmonders madebelievers out of everyone. The band backing Daniels and Prater laid a solidfoundation from which the singers testified, even though the musicians areconstantly involved in other projects.Drummer Bernard Davis recently finished touring with Steve Winwood, buthe and the rest of the band sounded as if they had been backing up Danielsand Prater since 1967.The dynamic duo saxophones of Bruce Rose on tenor and Darryl Foster onalto, the gritty yet sharp guitar playing of Nat Bailey, the smooth keyboardfills of Russell Higgins and Harold Smith's deep-bottom bass playing createdthat wonderful world of soul music.The group performed all the above hits as well as tributes to two othergreat soul singers. Prater and Daniels traded off lead vocals on Sam Cooke's' What a Wonderful World," "Cupid," "Chain Gang" and "Soothe Me."Then Daniels saluted Otis Redding on "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay."Prater whistled the classic close.Opening the show, Nine Below Zero provided an excellent set of rhythm andblues and traditional Chicago blues. Fronted by Joe "Blue" Giorello, theband aptly showcased the roots of soul music.Jimmy Rushing played fluid lead on "Hear My Guitar Ring" and "Pack ItUp" with guitar playing that would make Freddie King proud. Glenn McCraeblew sweet-hot fire from his alto sax on War's "Low Rider." Bassist DaveCareysang Al Green's "Love and Happiness" with true soul.Rick London's awesome harmonica work throughout stunned the audience. Heplays with a mixture of Norton Buffalo's multinote cleanliness and JamesCotton's down-home urban gut-level blues.In the middle of the second set (mostly reprises of earlier songs), Pratersaid, "C'mon, y'all, let's party!" That's what happened -- one long party ofsoul music and good times. Having such fantastic shows in Richmond bringshope that the music scene will continue to thrive.Keywords: MUSIC REVIEW