Tad Robinson – Soul In Blue
10 Tracks – 43 minutes
Soul blues vocalist and harmonica player Tad Robinson makes his return to Delmark Records where he recorded his first two albums in 1994 & 1998. This is his eighth album and the first in six years. Tad was born in New York City. He attended the University of Indiana’s School of Music and graduated in 1980. In the 1970’s he played in a regional group, the Hesitation Blues Band, which released one album, Bring It in the Alley, in 1979. Upon graduation he moved to Chicago where he became the lead vocalist for Dave Specter and The Bluebirds. One 1994 studio album, Blueplicity, and two live recordings were released with Tad on vocals with that band. In 1994, Tad also released his first solo album, One to Infinity. Tad has been nominated for the Blues Foundation’s Blues Music Award ten times, five times each for Soul Blues Album of the Year and for Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year.
Tad plays harmonica and is the lead vocalist with band members Kevin Anker on keyboards, Paul Holdman on guitar, Brian Varde on drums, and David Murray on bass. The Delmark All-Stars consisting of Roosevelt Purefoy, Jr. on organ, Pooky Styx on drums, and Larry Williams on bass, support him on four tracks and with guitarists Carlos Showers and Mike Wheeler also playing on three tracks. A large number of other guests appear on individual cuts.
“Keep It in the Vault” is a tribute to his wife, Amy, who “keeps me out of trouble time after time”. “Nothing in the world would shake my love for you”. A smooth blues guitar by Paul Holman leads into the soulful “Out of Sight and Out of Mind” with Alberto Marisco co-writing the song and playing keyboards. Tad sings, “you never thought it would come to this, packed her clothes and gone, left you standing there with nothing going on”. Alberto also co-wrote and plays keyboards on “Somewhere There’s a Train” “passing through the night…bringing my baby here, won’t be long before she is near”.
A cover of Wilson Pickett’s 1963 “(I’m) Down To My Last Heartbreak” follows with Tad putting his own spin on it with the Delmark Allstars providing the backing in a slightly funky take. On “Deeper Than You Think”, Tad says ” A good friend tried to help me through with all the right intentions…but I’ve seen a bit too much with these tired eyes of mine”. A cover of Arthur Adam’s 1969 “It’s Private Tonight” is next with Roosevelt Purifoy Jr’s organ sliding along through the song as Tad exclaims “close the door, dim the light, I don’t want to see anybody but my baby tonight”.
Dave Specter guests on guitar and Tad’s harmonica have a key run on “Keep Your Heart Open for Love” as Tad expresses concerns for immigrants in America today stating “I think I hear the thunder rolling down this old country road. I can see the lightning flashing, but I do not see another soul. Somebody tell me why it feels like this world is about to explode. What can I learn from hatred. It’s just the other side of fear.” In a follow up social message dealing with concerns about today’s economy. “Up In the Air” featuring Tad’s harmonica as he notes that “the rules of the game have broken down everything seems up in the air except for you and me. Day by day I keep pushing but it’s hard out here for the common man.” “All of the crazies seem to get their way in the end”.
He moves back into a more sentimental note as he says he will “Forgive and Forget”, “if you decide to come back home”. “I hope you will forgive me for the wrongs I do, and I will do the same for you”. The All-Stars shine on the sentimental closer “This Time” as he says, “I found me a new love and this time I know it’s real”.
This is an excellent recording to play for a nice romantic evening or if you simply want a nice quiet atmosphere. Tad’s voice drips in soul and the musicians support every drop.
