Randall Bramblett – Thin Places

As an accomplished multi-instrumentalist (keyboards, sax, guitar, mandolin, harmonica), woefully underrated songwriter, and soulful, muscular singer, Randall Bramblett has kept plenty busy the past quarter-century or so as bandleader, deluxe road-band utility man (recently on a Traffic reunion tour), and A-list studio sessioneer.

Hes probably best-known for his long stint with southern rockers Sea Level and occasional work with fellow travelers Cowboy, Elvin Bishop, Govt Mule, the Allmans and Widespread Panic, but for an ol Georgia boy, he sure has a heaping helping of Limey belter in his pipes.

Brambletts delivery is a warm, whiskey-soaked rasp thats somewhere between a slightly lower-registered Paul Carrack and a more restrained (and graceful) Rod Stewart. Each of his three solo outings since 1998 has demonstrated an ever-improving knack for creating material to best showcase this most impressive instrument.

The singer wrote or co-wrote all of the material on Thin Places, and while the bulk of the songs draw on R&B-informed blues-rock, the arrangements, moods and tempos shift expertly, making for an engaging, dynamic listen.

With the aid of a crackerjack band (guitarists Jason Slatton, Davis Causey and Kenny Green-berg, bassist/producer Michael Rhodes and drummer Shaw Pelton), Bramblett drives through a sturdy set highlighted by the high-stepping Playing Card, the gorgeous, soaring You Can Be The Rain, the faintly psychedelic Are You Satisfied, the truly lovely, McCartney-esque Chet Baker, and the inspirational closer I Dont Care.

As on 2001s No More Mr. Lucky, Bramblett continues to hone and expand his craft, even as higher-profile acts rake in the cash while playing out the string. It turns out old dawgs can learn new tricks they just cant be lazy old dawgs.