“Sweet” may sound like the wrong word to describe something as gritty as Vernon Garrett’s gospel-rich vocal imprecations, but rest assured: he makes some of the sweetest soul music around. His recorded output has been modest–he made some noise on the charts in 1969 with “Without You” and then again in 1977 with “I’m at the Crossroad (Pt. 1)”–but his recent work on the Ichiban label has begun to expand his reputation. His live shows–especially when he has his own band with him, as he will on this gig–remain masterpieces of emotion: his voice, thick as blackstrap molasses, wraps itself around lovelorn ballads and slice-of-life vignettes with equal facility, and his own passionate commitment to the material keeps the mix heated to a boil. Besides displaying great technical proficiency, Garrett honors the twin soul icons of musical heritage and personal dignity: as drenched with sexual fervor as his shows can get, he always retains a spirit of uplift, optimism, and–for want of a more cutting-edge term–basic human dignity. Saturday, 10 PM, Mr. G’s Supper Club, 1547 W. 87th; 445-2020.
