Living on Mercy

Dan Penn doesnt hurry. It took him a full 26 years to deliver Living on Mercy, his sequel to 1994s Do Right Man, a good stretch of time by any measure, so it follows that the album itself glides by at a relaxed pace. Occasionally, the record works up a head of steam -- Edge of Love gets down and dirty with its gritty guitars and sweaty horns -- but nothing on the album is revved up, which may be appropriate for a man just a few years shy of his 80th birthday. Penn does sound comfortable in his skin, possibly even a little weathered, throughout Living on Mercy, yet theres a honeyed quality to his singing; hes seasoned but hes not old. The same sentiment could be applied to the songs on Living on Mercy, some of which are new, some of which were handed out to other musicians over the years. When collected on Living on Mercy -- and delivered by a crew of empathetic old pros -- they feel of a piece, a sweet, soulful, and reflective effort from a masterful singer/songwriter that benefits from its mellowness and slow, assured gait. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine