It’s Official! Everyone please welcome Sam Mudd as our new bassist/vocalist! Sam has a ton of experience, having played with Sarasota Slim, Lucky Peterson, and was the original bassist in the legendary Tampa Bay blues band Rock Bottom & The Cutaways! Sam brings a huge dose of energy and groove to the band, locking in with Dave Simmons to create a powerhouse rhythm section that’s already turning heads! Come and check out the new lineup in the coming weeks-it’s a scorcher!!
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This just in…
The last time that Franc Robert showed his acoustic side was on 2011′s well received Why Do I Ever Win. Since then Franc has issued Mulligan Stew in 2012, and now he returns to his acoustic side with Ride The Iron Road, on Blue Chihuahua Records. At 41 minutes Ride The Iron Road shows off 11 originals and three traditional blues cuts.
As an acoustic set, the simplicity of the presentation really adds to the impact of the music, with only Franc and his guitar(s) painting vivid images, as this Florida native is so talented at doing. The sound is clear and unadorned, allowing the music to stand on its own merit. While very satisfying all the way through, we found a few selections particularly interesting.
“Chihuahua Blues” reminded us a lot of “Rambling On My Mind,” in a pleasing way, and “Dem Devil Bones” is a brisk paced George Thorogood inspired acoustic romp that will have listeners slapping their knees to the beat. “Mississippi On My Mind” is simply great picking, superbly played. “Railroad Blues” is fast paced pickin’ and slidin’ fun. “St. James Infirmary Blues” is a really interesting performance, presented here as a shuffle, and almost upbeat.
Ride The Iron Road is an album best enjoyed when listeners want a break form the loud brashness of an electric blues set, and instead want to enjoy a more quiet and intimate blues experience.
Just got another STELLAR review-this time in Blues Blast Magazine!!!
” Hailing from Florida’s West Coast, Franc Robert offers up 11 original songs and 3 covers in this very traditional acoustic blues album. His finger picking and guitar work are superb. It’s just him and his guitar here as Robert bares it all in this production.
I found the guitar playing to be very solid and well done. His original songs are a breath of fresh air. Good topics, lyrics that are well thought out and, well, lyrical, and well-constructed. There are some very impressive new songs here that are outstanding. Robert also has an interesting approach to his vocals. He is sort of breathy and works at getting an old time, authentic sound. He sings predominantly though his head and one can almost hear his sinuses resonate as he gasps and wails out the lyrics. It’s a little odd at first but it grew on me!
The covers are St. James Infirmary, Mississippi Blues and Railroad Blues. The covers are pretty much straight up renditions of the traditional songs. He infuses his vocal style on all three; his voice begins to sound almost desperate with his breathy and interesting style here on the covers and on the originals. He shows he can play these tunes with the best of them on these covers.
I really preferred the original songs. The opening cut “Honey What’s Wrong” evokes the style of early Delta masters like Son House. He does this song orally, accompanied only with hand claps in a very old and cool style. The slide work on the title track that follows this is a stark contrast to the bare opening number and he plays his heart out. “Chihuahua Blues” is a somewhat humorous take on a song that reminded me of Robert Johnson. The next two cuts “These Low Down Blues” and “Dem Devil Bones”have a much more modern sound (perhaps the 50s and 60’s) have a more modern sound. “Mississippi On My Mind” and “Tax Time Blues” are more traditional; I enjoyed the latter statement on the IRS. “Travellin’ Bluesman” is a little more modernistic but “Treat Me Right” and “Never Felt More Alone” return back to the Delta. The closer, “Sunday Morning,” is a beautiful and inspirational slow finger picking instrumental that is just a joy.
I enjoyed Franc Roberts guitar work and his vocals grew on me after a few listens. He’s working to present his music in an authentic style. He’s written some excellent new songs and I think he’s got something here that acoustic fans will enjoy.”
Just got this in from Nathan Norgel of Wasser Prada (Germany)… this is the Google translation…
“After the ” Mulligan Stew ” with its Boxcar Tourists 2012, I had actually expected again on the new album by Franc Robert with a similar disc . But the materials posted in Chihuahua Blue Records “Ride The Iron Road ” is a classic case for : A man, his guitar and the blues. And the sounds in every note on the Mississippi Delta in the early period seen through the eyes of later generations .
Particularly clear is of course in the three classics of the album . 17493 The felt version of St. James Infirmary therefore comes as a crossroads of folk revival and hippie nostalgia . The “Mississippi Blues ” and the ” Railroad Blues” are also more innovated historically accurate as radical.
Today, the problems are of course other : Thus Franc Robert has no chance to compete against the dog on the lap of his beloved, even if he sings on the iron horse from the ride , it tends to bikes or trucks than the rattle of freight trains. And today the traveling bluesman is itself no longer safe from having to share his hard-earned money with the tax authority ( ” Tax Time Blues “).
What makes it particularly interesting for Guitar Fans “Ride The Iron Road ” , is the large variety of historical instruments that Robert used here . From diverse Dobros to historical guitars by Martin from the 20’s they last. And Robert is a picker as well as with the Slide a great player .
A recommendation for fans of acoustic blues and musicians such as Joe Bottleneck , Greyhound George or the classics between Son House and Robert Johnson.”
http://wasser-prawda.de/component/zoo/item/franc-robert-ride-the-iron-road
Franc Robert 