Customer Reviews

Down the Dirt Road - Charley Patton Tribute

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I can't even remember why I bought this, but I am glad I forgot. It's really quite beautiful. I must admit I don't know Patton's music back ward and forward but this is moving, interesting, and, ( is this damning with faint praise?) PLEASANT to listen to. Good for anytime, anyplace, I say. Parker's cover is arresting. Lots of subtlety and terrific musicianship on this CD. More than worth a risk. Did I mention sexy and scary?

This is one of those rare tribute albums that's so good you buy a bunch more tribute albums trying to find one just like it. The originals are pretty tough listening with notoriously bad sound quality. Great stuff, but not for regular listening. This album moves the songs out of history and into the present and it sounds great with some very interesting tracks.

I agree the Graham Parker performance is great but so is Snooky Pryor's track which is my favorite. Just behind that are the great acoustic performances by Charlie Musselwhite and Joe Louis Walker. There are surprise interpretations on the album that i found delightful. I've been very pleased by this project and was amazed to see the bad revue below. Since it was too negative, i thought I'd post my views.

First THE positive. Parker's rendition of "Poor Me" is worth the price of the disc alone. The rest is shear disappointment thru and thru. I respect Steve James greatly, but this brilliantly concieved project lacks the fire and imagination it could have had. Someone should really give a Charley Patton tribute. Maybee Alvin Hart or even.....myself????