Famously aided by Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel, Bobby Charles' 1972 self-titled LP has often been referred to as "the Band album that never was". Truthfully, it's much much more than that. Charles, a Louisiana native, creates an album here that bridges the geographical gap to a near physical extent, marrying his bayou swamp rock with the Band's northeastern backwoods mystique to land somewhere near the loose southern funk of a Muscle shoals production. Maybe its the addition of Dr. John's piano, organ and unique rhythm guitar that peppers the album with its charming eccentricities, or the pedal steel and Dobro work of Neil Young cohort Ben Keith, but seasoning and guest stars aside, it's really the strength and well-worn familiarity of Charles' originals that drive the proceedings. Despite the company he keeps, it's his show all the way. Among the ten originals is a handful of brilliance, and although the album itself fades in and out of print, it's standout "Small Town Talk" has lived on in various incarnations, most famously on the 1977 self-titled LP of the song's co-author, Rick Danko.
Showing posts with label Bobby Charles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bobby Charles. Show all posts
Thursday
Bobby Charles
Bobby Charles - 1972
Famously aided by Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel, Bobby Charles' 1972 self-titled LP has often been referred to as "the Band album that never was". Truthfully, it's much much more than that. Charles, a Louisiana native, creates an album here that bridges the geographical gap to a near physical extent, marrying his bayou swamp rock with the Band's northeastern backwoods mystique to land somewhere near the loose southern funk of a Muscle shoals production. Maybe its the addition of Dr. John's piano, organ and unique rhythm guitar that peppers the album with its charming eccentricities, or the pedal steel and Dobro work of Neil Young cohort Ben Keith, but seasoning and guest stars aside, it's really the strength and well-worn familiarity of Charles' originals that drive the proceedings. Despite the company he keeps, it's his show all the way. Among the ten originals is a handful of brilliance, and although the album itself fades in and out of print, it's standout "Small Town Talk" has lived on in various incarnations, most famously on the 1977 self-titled LP of the song's co-author, Rick Danko.
Famously aided by Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel, Bobby Charles' 1972 self-titled LP has often been referred to as "the Band album that never was". Truthfully, it's much much more than that. Charles, a Louisiana native, creates an album here that bridges the geographical gap to a near physical extent, marrying his bayou swamp rock with the Band's northeastern backwoods mystique to land somewhere near the loose southern funk of a Muscle shoals production. Maybe its the addition of Dr. John's piano, organ and unique rhythm guitar that peppers the album with its charming eccentricities, or the pedal steel and Dobro work of Neil Young cohort Ben Keith, but seasoning and guest stars aside, it's really the strength and well-worn familiarity of Charles' originals that drive the proceedings. Despite the company he keeps, it's his show all the way. Among the ten originals is a handful of brilliance, and although the album itself fades in and out of print, it's standout "Small Town Talk" has lived on in various incarnations, most famously on the 1977 self-titled LP of the song's co-author, Rick Danko.
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