Customer Reviews

A Little Bit of Rain

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What a gorgeous record. I first heard of Sid Selvidge some years ago, in passing but always flattering mentions in a book by the late Robert Palmer. Until a few days ago, however, I'd never actually heard him. Selvidge, I learn, is one of those hidden treasures, a guy whose gift is sure and true but too smart to force its attention on you. When you hear him, you need to -- and you will want to -- sit down and afford him the courtesy of deep listening.

A creature of the folk and blues revival, he also has an ear for rootsy r&b and a feeling for the subtleties of older, purer country. Whatever he's doing, it is distinctly his own, melded into a seamless musical vision. He goes inside a song and burrows to its core. It can't be easy, but Selvidge is too good to make it sound like work.

His version of "Hobo Bill" carries only occasional, incidental references to the immortal Jimmie Rodgers original. Bascom Lamar Lunsford's recording of the traditional "Swannanoa Tunnel" is a classic, but Selvidge's reimagining is sheer cold, lonesome wind. Only Fred Neil could have topped this, though the CD's title tune, a Neil composition (from his first solo album, the influential 1965 Elektra release), amply demonstrates that Selvidge can hold his own against the folk masters. He manages to transform the grossly over-covered "Long Black Veil" into something you can listen to with pleasure. The r&b ballad "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?" will make you cry. The great James Luther Dickinson produces. I need say no more, except that if you're looking for musical art of the highest order, you'll want this record to be a part of your life.

You have to have a heart of stone to not get misty listening to Do I Ever Cross Your Mind and not think of a lost love. Only Ray Charles' version comes close.

If Townes Van Zandt had a twin brother from Memphis with a soothing voice it would be Sid. This is a sublime record. The song selections are magical (John Hiatt's The River is worth the price of admission) and Jim Dickinson's spare spacious production is perfect.