Delbert McClinton’s website says that there are two kinds of people in the world – those who love Delbert McClinton and those who haven’t heard him yet. Very true. Unfortunately, there are far too many in that second category.

In a career that spans more than five decades and nineteen studio albums, McClinton, a singer, songwriter and multi – instrumentalist from Lubbock, Texas, has managed to win Grammys in both the Rock and Blues categories. He’s also had great success on the Country charts for his collaborations with Tanya Tucker and Emmylou Harris and is also no stranger to R& B and Tex-Mex. Many artists have flocked to participate in his recording sessions over the years, including Bonny Raitt, Lyle Lovett, B.B. King, John Prine, Tom Petty and Melissa Etheridge. McClinton is easily one of the best songwriters I’ve ever heard and his songs have been recorded by Etta James, Emmylou Harris, Joe Cocker, Rita Coolidge and even the late, great Ray Charles. Lyle Lovett famously said “ If we could all sing like we wanted to, we’d all sing like Delbert.”

Delbert McClinton made a name for himself as a young harmonica player in the Texas roadhouses and was soon backing the likes of Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley and Jimmy Reed – something unheard of for a young white boy. Touring England with Bruce Channel in 1962, Delbert met the young John Lennon and taught him the finer points of playing the harmonica.

In all his compositions, it’s mostly Delberts lyrics that ring true for me – simple, honest, with the occasional wry humour. The first time I heard “Your Memory, Me, and the Blues” and his
impeccable lyrics “A creature of habit in all that I do / When I make coffee, I still make coffee for

two”, I knew that Delbert McClinton was in a class by himself. Roch, Alrick and I have chosen to play his Tex-Mex classic “When Rita Leaves.” I’m sure that every songwriter alive wishes they had written this song. If I were hosting a songwriting class, this is where I`d start.

Richard Séguin – voice, acoustic guitar, classical guitar, mandolin
Alrick Huebener – upright bass
Roch Tassé – drums and percussion

When Rita Leaves

Photo of Alrick by Kate Morgan