Robbie Reay Blues Music

There is a nicely relaxed feel to the opening track of this release, ‘Skylark’, a song of a satisfied man coming home, set to a fine solo Mississippi slide guitar accompaniment. That's no coincidence either, as Robbie recently visited Mississippi, and the title track that follows has a tougher approach, with fine vocals and harmonica added to the driving guitar work. Yes, I am impressed, but then this CD was an “IBBA Pick Of The Month” for August - and deservedly so. The tightly-controlled ‘2020 Blues’ (very nice guitar break) leads into an original ‘Crossroads’, then ‘Just The Same’ provides a change of direction, a folky ballad, ‘This Time’ has something of a jaunty country feel, and ‘Hold Me Close‘ is a folk piece with a curious but effective arrangement. ‘Satisfy My Roll’ picks things up again as it is a fine rocking and nicely lascivious blues, and ‘Ain’t Got No Biscuit’ has a strongly traditional approach, a little related to Elizabeth Cotton’s approach, though with a blues harp break; it is easy to imagine this with a washboard added to the accompaniment, somewhat like Blind Boy Fuller. The closing track begins as a fine, romantic folk song and has a livelier blues-based interlude to close out the album. Robbie has something of a winner here, showcasing his fine voice, accomplished playing and plenty of excellent blues and roots numbers. Check it out,.