TERRY ROBB
CONFESSIN MY DUES
NIASOUNDS
BUTCHER HOLLER STOMP–STILL ON 101–HOW A FREE MAN FEELS–IT MIGHT GET SWEATY–NOW VESTAPOL–DARKEST ROAD I’M TOLD–THREE TIMES THE BLUES–CONFESSIN MY DUES–DEATH OF BLIND ARTHUR–HIGH DESERT EVERYWHERE–KEEP YOUR JUDGMENT–BLOOD RED MOON
Terry Robb is one of the most expressive, accomplished, and prolific fingerstyle pickers on the scene today. His fifteenth overall recording, “Confessin My Dues,” opens the door to many of his musical influences, some quite unique for a bluesman. Herein, he wrote all the cuts save for two, which are co-writes.
Terry’s blues spectrum is broad, indeed. One minute, he’s down in the Delta, channeling the ghosts of Son House, Blind Blake, and Robert Johnson, and the next minute he’s calling out to Hendrix and even Coltrane. Instrumentals abound, and the party leads off with the lively “Butcher Holler Stomp,” and the chameleon-like, rail-ridin’ romp of “Now Vestapol.” His Hendrix connection comes thru in the lightning-quick runs that permeate “Heart Made Of Steel,” while he connects with ‘Trane on the jazz-inflected “Three Times The Blues.”
There’s no doubt as to our favorite, tho. There is nothing in blues quite like a good ol’ trip down to the corner of Highway 61 and 49, especially with an artist who’s familiar with the deals going down on that corner. With “Highway 61 is The Darkest Road I’m Told,” you can almost feel that bony hand on your shoulder if “you go down that road alone.”
Terry Robb may be old-school in technique and style, but his content and guitar chops make him a formidable force in today’s arena. On this set, we can all enjoy as he steps up, “Confessin My Dues,” to the whole round world. Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.
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