![]() ![]() His choosing to cover Otis Redding's classic "Nobody's Fault But Mine" was a terrible mistake, as anyone who has ever heard the original would attest. He can hold a tune, but it's as if there isn't anything there. His singing voice hasn't gotten any better with the years. That said, Ford's songs are rather tired, generic, and unidentifiable except for his guitar playing and Goldings' amazing organ playing when he appears on one (though a notable exception to this is the midnight blue protest tune "Peace on My Mind"). It also features fine performances from organist Larry Goldings and bassist Will Lee, and guest appearances from Susan Tedeschi (whose soulful voice literally saves a cover of Paul Simon's "One Man's Ceiling Is Another Man's Floor") and Bernie Worrell (on "Riley B. Perhaps the best that can be said about this recording is that it is the work of a very competent bandleader and producer who happens to play one hell of a mean guitar. But that doesn't necessarily mean he is a great songwriter he's not, and that's painfully obvious on Truth. He has mastered the many styles placed in front of him and bitten off and chewed more. It's been well established for decades that he is one of the truly great guitar players out there. Robben Ford is at that stage in his career when he needs to make a decision. After a slow start, Ealey urges the band into a more funky version of The Thrill is Gone than they had in mind. This is loose stuff, clearly no rehersal. If you have a better version, please post it! If you are hoarding some early SRV, bring it out and share please! To me, the best parts of this show are Stevie's, but it is cool to hear him jam with an old-timer. This recording has some fade ins, fade outs, and cuts. I am sure there must be more of this show out there. This is very classic early SRV developing his own style. ![]() Those unstoppable chops came from night after night of gigging during this era. The 79 era is one of my all-time favorite periods for Stevie, but it is terribly under-documented. ![]() To come across any new Stevie is great, but an early show of this quality does not come along very often. When I first got this tape a few years ago, I was thrilled. I think that is who is sitting in on guitar and vocals. In honor of Stevie's birthday, October 3rd! According to some Texans I know, Robert "Bluebird" Ealey was the owner of the Bluebird Lounge in Ft. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
December 2022
Categories |