2021 – Robert Connely
Farr
By Phillip Smith; Jan. 1, 2022
Ain’t Enough was recorded at Hipposonic Studios in Vancouver, BC, and marks Robert Connely Farr’s ninth studio album, and first solo acoustic album. What I love about Farr’s music is that it’s deep, meaningful, and baptized in the blues. Nominated for 2019 Maple Blue Awards for Songwriter of the Year and New Artist of the Year, Farr was mentored by 2021 Grammy nominee Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes. This mentorship with Holmes is key in Farr’s devotion to keep the Bentonia Blues legacy moving forward. Holmes, owner of the world’s oldest juke-joint The Blue Front CafĂ© in Bentonia, Mississippi, was mentored by Henry Stuckey who also taught Skip James. One can feel the history of the handed-down teachings in Farr’s songs.
Like Townes Van Zandt, John Prine,and Bruce Springsteen, Farr has the magic to pull the listener in to his world to experience the good with the bad. This is very much so as Farr reels me in with title-track “Ain’t Enough”. It totally sets the tone of the album. Performed on a twelve-string, his cover of Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes’ “Going Away to Leave” is absolutely breathtaking with its ominous and hypnotic riff. A wave of emotion overcomes me when I hear him sing about his gut-wrenching battle with cancer in “I Get By”. Farr’s infectious rolling melody swoops me up as he paints a clear picture of economic inequalities in “Getting’ Richer Blues”. It’s such a badass song.
Ain’t Enough is a striking album of real-deal blues. Farr’s lyrics cut to the bone and his melodies are beautifully haunting.
