A Wild Funky/Swampy Ride

For this native of Homer, Louisiana who is a long respected veteran of the Chitlin’  Circuit, who it sometimes seems has been around since the beginning of music, he has saved us a gem to be released Sept. 16, 2016.  He has been recording for 60+ years and he has saved this, arguably his best disc for his debut on Rounder Records.  Before you get all upset and rush out to see this poor tired old blues, R&B singer take a deep breath, and you dang well better be in tip-top shape because he will run you into the ground with his seemingly boundless energy and infectious smile.  This energy, both on and off stage, seems inexhaustible, I, much his junior, had the pleasure of being with him one night and he honestly ran me into the ground.  

For this disc Rounder paired three time Grammy winner, Bobby, up with two-time Grammy winner Scott Billington, who also is an old friend of Bobby’s and the longtime head of A&R at Rounder.  Scott’s knowledge of music and in particular Bobby’s music is extensive.  Not only that, but Billington had worked extensively in New Orleans and knew the right musicians that would mesh with this project: David Torkanowsky, Jeffrey “Jellybean” Alexander, and Shane Theriot, along Rush’s long time collaborator guitarist Vasti Jackson, and let us not forget as well as the vocals Bobby plays all the slinky dirty harmonica here.  Then the guest guitarists all slide into the picture Dave Alvin, Keb’Mo’. and Joe Bonamassa.  This is one of those projects that fit and slide together only with that extra divine lagniappe that only scoots around special projects in New Orleans.  

First let me say on Porcupine Meat, we are presented with twelve new songs and somewhere in the vicinity of just short of an hour of new music.  Unfortunately I received a promo-copy and it doesn’t have who wrote the songs, although some have the strong feel that they are Bobby Rush songs.  One thing you know with Scott on as producer and the lineup of funky, jazz influenced, bluesy, rocking musicians that this is one helluva musical ride.  There is no doubt about it this is one of the highlights of the year, as far as the musical trip it lays out for us.  The musicians are allowed to play and Bobby Rush is in exceptionally fine voice.  Buckle up or if you prefer hang on tight and get ready for one of the funkiest, most jaw dropping rides you have ever been on that is going to take you down in the mud and muck of southwestern Louisiana and to heights that you didn’t think you could ever reach.  Yes, already a first runner for Record of the Year.  

bob gottlieb