2023 – Robert Connely Farr
By Phillip Smith; May 7, 2023
Release Date : April 14, 2023
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
Robert Connely Farr’s name is planted on my list of favorite blues artists these days. I’ve been hooked on his music since hearing his 2019 release Dirty South Blues. Hailing from Bolton, Mississippi and now residing in Vancouver, B.C., Farr was mentored by Grammy-nominated Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes, cementing his style in Bentonia Blues. For this recording, Farr selected a baker’s dozen of his coolest tracks and taped them live at Fox Cabaret in Vancouver with bandmembers Jay Bundy Johnson and Tom Hillifer.
The set begins with a splendid, dark performance of the 1929 Charlie Patton side “Screaming & Hollering” which also appears on Farr’s 2022 Shake It album. He delivers the hard-driving Jack Owens-penned song “Cherry Ball” with fearless abandon down a steamy groove fueled by Johnson and Hillifer. The bassline digs deep into the marrow of my bones as he wonderfully takes on Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes’ “Going Away to Leave You”. If one is playing Bentonia blues, there’s going to have to be some Skip James in the mix. Farr pleads for just one more chance as he delivers a brilliant and unsettling rendition of James’ “Devil Got My Woman” taught to him by Holmes.
Farr’s original songs truly resonate and are comparable to the those from the delta greats. “Going Down South”, with its timelessness and infectious hook, pulls me right in. “Lefty” on the other hand, clocks in with a two-and-a-quarter minute long hellacious serving of high-octane blues. They are both great songs.
Cherry Ball is a terrific listen from beginning to end. For those who have not listened to Farr’s work, this album is an excellent gateway recording to introduce yourself to his work.
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TRACK
LISTINGS
1. Screaming & Hollering (live) 03:22
2. Buddy Brown (live) 02:27 video
3. Cherry Ball (live) 02:40 video
4. Going Away To Leave You (live) 02:23
5. Going Down South (live) 02:46
6. Devil Got My Woman (live) 02:41
7. Go Cat Go (live) 02:48
8. Lefty (live) 02:14
9. Ain't No Other Way (live) 02:42 video
10. Trouble (live) 03:21
11. Knock On Wood (live) 02:49
12. Shake It (live) 02:57
13. Girl In The Holler (live) 02:34
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