2023 – Robert Connely Farr
By Phillip Smith; Dec. 30, 2023
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
Robert Connely Farr continues to intrigue me with his dark, ominous brand
of blues. Pandora Sessions, his eleventh
release, is dedicated to the memory of Mississippi bluesman RL. Boyce. Farr originally from Bolton,
Mississippi, now resides in Vancouver, Canada. His music is deeply rooted in the Bentonia,
Mississippi style of blues and wonderfully honors his mentors Boyce,
and Grammy Nominee Jimmy “Duck” Holmes. According to Farr, this record is
modeled after gigs in which he played along with Boyce and Holmes
in Bentonia. They used vintage
microphones and whatever was at hand. Produced by Jay Bundy Johnson and
written by Farr, Pandora Sessions has an incredible way of transporting
the listener through a magical portal to their own personal juke joint.
The subject of inevitable mortality takes center stage in “Everybody’s Dyin’” as Farr’s lyrics ride the wave of a hypnotic groove. The topic returns with an internal perspective on “Getting Tired of Getting Old”. The song has a simmering, swampy delivery and connects with a dire and on-point punch. Farr creates a mysterious atmosphere when he sings about the “Night Train”. An intoxicating rhythm which vibrates right down to the bone follows with “Take it Slow”. The song has me in a quandary, trying to decipher what happened in Jackson and Natchez Town. The weight of Farr’s voice is heavy with sadness as he sings about wanting to go home in “Oh Lord”. This one really taps into my empathetic core.
Farr’s music is created with the spark of a musical linage of generations of bluesmen, and it shows in both his writing and performances. Pandora Sessions is pure unadulterated blues at its best.
For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://www.robertconnelyfarr.com
Click on the link below
to purchase this terrific album from Bandcamp
