I know Bobby Charles did some stuff with The Band in the mid 1970s, but that’s about all I know. Well, that, plus the “You Might Also Like” section underneath this album on Apple Music includes the Grateful Dead’s Europe ’72 (Live) (1972), Dr. John’s Gris-Gris (1968), Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 (1971), and even The Beau Brummels and Little Feat. Needless to say, I’m ecstatic to be checking out this album tonight. With that, I’m going to jump on into the tunes.
“Street People” starts out with some high hats that build up some a sort of waiting feeling. This guitar in this song is so cool. It’s got this strange swampy feeling to it, but is otherwise something of a country-inflected blues tune. The acoustic guitar is honestly so interesting, I’ve never quite heard one playing this that I can remember. Oh wow, that little acoustic guitar breakdown is super sweet. There’s this tinny, jangly reverb to the instrumentation, and I’m really digging it.
“Long Face” has a really sweet, sort of Memphis bar blues feel to it. The song feels so well placed too. The little swirls from the organ are almost chirping along with the piano, and creates a really great flavor to the tune. This tune is absolutely infectious with its slow grooving and moving vibe. It reminds me quite a bit of Randy Newman in terms of the notes and feel of the vocals, though perhaps a tad smoother.
“I Must Be In a Good Place Now” starts out some piano that feels both sweet, and searching as it feels out the soundscape of the tune. The vocals are a bit softer in delivery, which really add to the overall sweetness. This song really has a really nice southern blues vibe mixed with a great singer/songwriter sound from that era. Oh wow, theres’s some really tasty tones that the piano and guitar hit that really tie the song together really well. Definitely a very sweet sound to a very sweet song.
“Save Me Jesus” has a really cool jive to it right away. The song really feels like it’s bouncing around itself with those big muddy bass tones front and center in the mix, while the drums sort of stir things from behind the scenes, and the electric guitar really melts into the mix while the acoustic guitar and piano add some great sturdy parts that are all mixed together super well. I’m really reminded a lot of Randy Newman with the speed of the songs and that unapologetic southern tone, though Charles definitely uses quite a lot more guitar from what I have gathered and can remember from listening to Newman. This song is definitely a really tasty plea in the form of a southern bluesy steady rock and roll tune. The piano and bass are super tasty in this one, wow. And I can’t help but be drawn in by the jangliness of the acoustic guitar, while at the same time other instruments are pleading for their own attention while all coming together for an awesome tune on the album so far.
“All the Money” starts out with some bluesy humming and some really nice bluesy acoustic guitar, while the bass and electric guitar sort of creates this fanned out swamp feeling in the background. The saxophone sort of brings this jazz-like blues element to the song, and the clapping makes it feel like it’s played on some back porch in the bayou at first. Then the drums drop in, and this song really has a heck of bluesy groove going. I want to clap along to this one, but really want to listen even harder to the song because the individual instruments are playing something so interesting. The acoustic guitar is so melty, almost folding into itself as it plays. Oh wow, I think there’s a couple different acoustic guitar parts going at the same time, and they’re both playing off one another and really framing the song really well. This song is awesome – it’s almost like it’s false stepping into a bit of a faster groove, while picking up more momentum at the same time. Oh wow, that saxophone and horn let loose really creating a sweet feeling at the outro, I want to hear more of the song, but it already ended.
“Small Town Talk” has an almost bubbling bayou psychedelic blues feeling to it. The bass and the electric organ feel like they’re bubbling from underneath some swampy water, while Charles keeps the song moving forward, never staying at one musical point too long. Oh wow, that bluesy acoustic guitar really is tugging the song while Charles eases how the song is being pulled with his relaxed tone in his voice. Really great song.
“Let Yourself Go” has a very relaxed small-town sort of feel that’s sort of pleading someone to follow Charles. There’s such a nice innocence to this song, and definitely has a bit of a country inflected rock feeling to it. I’m reminded a lot Gram Parson’s first album, GP (1973) with the acoustic guitar, pedal steel guitar, and the piano grooving with the easy going drums and Charles’ relaxed voice. The piano really hits some tasty notes in this one. Bobby Charles and whichever other musicians played on this record did an excellent job building up songs to the point where a resolution is both unexpected and completely natural.
“Grow Too Old” is a heavy bluesy rocking country rock song – this is awesome. The way the piano, bass, and drums all sync up supremely well to give the song great forward momentum with every beat. Oh wow, this guitar solo is absolutely delicious, and is quickly followed by a saxophone solo that builds off the guitar solo, while the piano, drums, and bass all jam on around the soundscape. The voice really reminds me a whole lot of Randy Newman. Wow, the way the piano sort of heavily rolls around while the saxophone and guitar trade blows really makes the song so tasty.
Oh wow, “I’m That Way” starts out with some absolutely delicious piano playing that almost has a country Mardi Gras vibe to it. And wow, that acoustic guitar comes in again with a similar tinny, hollow, reverb feeling to it. It’s almost like it’s being played with an old glass soda bottle as a slide – it’s got a really nice homely authenticity to it. Oh wow, I’ve been waiting to hear some slick piano solos, but it felt like they were only teased until now. That was awesome. The acoustic guitar gives a nice percussive feeling with the strumming alongside the drums, while the bass sort of bops everything all around. Really sweet tune.
It’s hard to believe how much of the album has flown by already. “Tennessee Blues” is a softer, almost country blues ballad of sorts with the milky electric guitar tone. Oh wow, the harmonica (I think?) really slides in a smooth, bluesy flavor. Actually, I think it’s probably more of a synth of some sort, or even an accordion or a bagpipe of some sort – and it’s bringing such a unique feel to the song. The bass, drums, and guitar sort of all melt together and keep the song feeling bluesy, while that synth/bagpipe/accordion/harmonica really brings a bright, almost optimistic feel to the mix. It’s honestly such a unique sounding tune, and brings a lot of range to the album as a whole. I think this is where the original album ended as there’s about 12 seconds of nothing at the end.
“Small Town Talk [Single Version]” has a really great feeling from the earlier, longer version. I’m glad I’m getting to hear this come around again, because that was such an awesome tune earlier. I think the horns might be a little more prevalent in this one. This is missing the little instrumental parts that I think I remember from the earlier version, but really has that same great flavor. Definitely a great tune.
“Homemade Songs [Bonus Track]” has an almost meandering cowboy country feel to it, with it’s relatively easy-going tempo, the twangy tones from the guitars, the pedal steel guitar, and the tone of Charles’ voice. There’s some great sounding woodwind instruments or horns I think, but honestly it could just be more guitar all melted together. Absolutely lovely song, and a great finish for the album, even if this wasn’t included in the original release. It honestly sounds a bit like The Flying Burrito Brothers, in my opinion. Definitely a very sweet and mellow song and a really nice and relaxed way to finish the album.
This album is definitely a great listen. Those who enjoy the works of Gram Parsons or The Flying Burrito Brothers or even Randy Newman will likely enjoy this one. There’s a lot of absolutely great songs in this album, all written and executed quite well. I’m not sure who, if there were any, the other musicians were on the album, but the end result is an an easy going country rock singer/songwriter album that has great flavor and definitely feels unique throughout with its natural peaks and valleys in orchestration. If you do decide to give it a listen, I sincerely hope that you enjoy it at least as much as I did.
-A