#640: Bob Margolin - Thanks (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2023 – Vizztone

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 21, 2023

Release Date : Oct. 27, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

Armed with the very same ’56 Gibson ES-150 he used while playing with Muddy Waters and with The Band in The Last Waltz concert and film, Bob Margolin commemorates fifty years since joining The Muddy Waters Band with his latest release Thanks.  This fabulous album captures the pure essence of The Blues, as Margolin creates every sound heard on all ten songs of this recording, with one very special exception.  The vocals of his very special guest and border collie Levon join along during a guitar solo on “No Consolation”.

The record begins with a smoking version of “Going Down to Main Street”..  Dedicated to Muddy Waters and Levon Helm, the song was originally released in 1952 with Muddy’s original band, and was recorded again in 1975 for Muddy Waters’ Woodstock Album featuring Margolin, Helm, and Paul Butterfield.  I love his cover of The Band’s “The Shape I’m In”.  Played as a blues shuffle, the song stands out as an absolute favorite.  As the first few notes of “Mean Old Chicago” are played, I ’m enamored to say the least.  Margolin wrote this song on a drink napkin while in flight to Chicago to pay final respects to friend and Chicago blues legend Jimmy Rogers.  Originally on Margolin’s 1993 album Down in the Alley “Baby Can’t Be Found” is an amazing song and is no wonder why it was a favorite of Johnny Winter’s.  It sounds wonderful with Margolin performing on that Gibson archtop electric guitar.  Originally recorded in 1999 for Blind Pig Records using a National Steel guitar which was a gift from Pinetop Perkins, “No Consolation” is one of my favorite Margolin-penned tracks.  It is blues to the core and its jagged edges dig deep into the soul. 

Selecting ten songs to sum up fifty years could not have been an easy task, however Margolin takes his choices very seriously.  It is refreshing to hear these songs stripped down to just a man and his guitar.  The background stories behind each of the tracks on Margolin’s website is refreshing and insightful.  They offer a glimpse inside the man who has truly lived the blues.

---

For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://bobmargolin.com/

 

 

David Bromberg - Use Me : From the Archives #15

2011 Appleseed Records

By Phillip Smith;  July 16, 2011 originally for  BluesRevue.com

David Bromberg, the legendary singer/songwriter/instrumentalist brings it again, this time with a little help from his friends.  With each track sporting a special guest, the idea for Use Me initiated from an invitation from John Hiatt to mess around in his Nashville studio.  From that point on, Bromberg called up a variety of musically talented friends, and asked them each to assist in one way or another in recording a song with him.  The results of this chain of events culminate into a wondrous potpourri of music. 

Bromberg kick-starts the sequence of songs with “Tongue”, a fun bluesy treat featuring Levon Helm on drums, and a tight rhythm section.   A second  track featuring Helm,  “Bring it With You When You Come” is a little more rusty and country-fried, reminding me a bit of Helm’s earlier recordings with The Band.

Keb’ Mo’ lends his talent as producer/guitarist on slow-paced  “Diggin’ in the Deep Blue Sea”, a timely response to the BP Oil Spill of 2010.   Well written and thought out, this one brings attention to the dangers of off-shore drilling, as Bromberg sings “Now the fish can’t swim.  You know the birds can’t fly.  We keep right on pumping ’cause demand is high.”.

“Blue is Falling”, recorded with Tim O’Brien on mandolin and backing vocals is a favorite.  Stuart Duncan on fiddle, accentuates the song as Bromberg seems to channel  Roy Orbison during the chorus.  Another country ditty, “Lookout Mountain Girl”, has Bromberg enlisting the talent of Vince Gill (electric guitar, mandolin, backing vocals).  A track quite danceable and suitable for a Saturday night hoedown in Tennessee.

A pair of other favorites are “Old Neighborhood” and “Use Me”.  “Old Neighborhood”, a track recorded with, and produced by Widespread Panic, is a playful and funky track, with lots of hot guitar licks and soulful keyboards.  Title track, “Use Me”, the grand finale of  the album was produced by Phil and Joe Nicolo, aka The Butcher Bros.  Jim Miades contributes the bass line which adds the somewhat hypnotic groove which makes this one so enjoyable. 

The list of contributors is as impressive as the album itself.  The remaining artists include Dr. John, Los Lobos, Linda Ronstadt, and of course John Hiatt.  Use Me is a nice album to listen to on a rainy Sunday afternoon, or any other time for that matter.

 

http://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/

Levon Helm - Ramble at the Ryman : From the Archives #13

2011 -  Vanguard Record

By Phillip Smith; July 9, 2011

He’s over seventy years old now, and still nothing quite gets in the way of Levon Helm‘s tenacious desire to make music.  Arguably one of the two most notable people to ever call such a little place like Turkey Scratch, Arkansas, home.  The other being the legendary Robert Lockwood, Jr.  Ramble at the Ryman, the newest release from Helm, is a live album.   Capturing the essence of the old time medicine shows, he shares the stage with big name talent like Sheryl Crow, John Hiatt, Buddy Miller, and Billy Bob Thornton to name a few.  With Helm handling vocals, drums, and the mandolin, Larry Campbell on guitar, and (Little) Sammy Davis on harmonica, it’s quite an impressive arcade of musicians.  

Six of the fifteen tracks are oldies but goodies written by one of Helm’s original band mates from The Band, Robbie Robertson.  Kicking off the show, is a lively version of “Ophelia“.  It’s such a great song, and sets the mood for a swingin’ good time.  Wrapping up the album, we get to hear a fabulous rendition of “The Weight“, recorded with special guest vocalist, John Hiatt.   And in between, fabulous performances of  “Evangeline“, recorded with Sheryl Crow, “Rag Mama Rag“, and “The Shape I’m In“.

Harmonica aficionados should really enjoy the back to back tracks, “Fannie Mae” and “Baby Scratch My Back”. Davis owns the stage with his riveting harp playing.  It’s just great to listen to.  Other great listens include the chilling ballad, “A Train Robbery”.  Helm sings his heart out on this one.  Rounding out the rest of the album, is a very nice cover of Chuck Berry’s “Back to Memphis”.  

This event is also available on DVD, which I plan to picking up sometime soon, because I love the CD so much.  

Rating =  5/5

http://www.levonhelm.com/


* Authors note:  Originally appeared on BluesRevue.Com's BluesWax online magazine.  Posting again, in honor of what would have been Levon's 74th birthday.   

* Levon Helm. May 26, 1940 ~ April 19, 2012