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CHARLIE
WHITNEY
Yes him,the multi instrumentalist and eclectic songwriter from Family
and Streetwalkers fame.Charlie has spent the latter part of his career
pursuing a more down home approach,embracing a more Folk, Country ,Celtic
roots flavour.
It was there of course years ago in the ultimate folksong, Family's "Weavers
Answer". Three decades later Charlies squared the circle teaming
up with Robert.A.Roberts to recapture his song writing spark,and of course
his inspirational trade mark lap steel and mandolin playing, and much
much more.
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ROBERT .A. ROBERTS
A lyrical harp playing guitarist and fine songwriter and photographer of
note.Robert has been a core member of over 10 years standing with South
London roots rockers Roadhouse. A disciple of American music from the Ry
Cooder/David Lindley stable,Robert has the rare ability to transform his
American railroad photography into musical imagery.
Together the Whitney/Roberts songwriting partnership packs a confident swagger
born of experience and a ton of musical ideas. |
THE ALBUM
From the opening brace of songs through a compelling mix of of cutting
edge Country and Cajun to Rock and Reggae the Whitney Roberts Combo
bring together their musical influences both new and past, put them
through a musical spin drier and add a dash of coherence.
How else could you make a connection between the Lubbock imagery of
Terry Allen, the Cockney reflections of Ray Davies "Dead End Street",
the wry irony of Warren Zevon, and the sweeping melodies and Celtic
undertow of the duo's own impressive efforts.
Listen for example to the magnificent self penned "Lost in a Heartbeat",
complete with Whitneys delightful ascending mandolin line. Or check
out the clever Reggae undertow of "Talking to the Loog" which
resolves itself musically in a Beatles style melange of insistent stabbed
piano chords and glistening harmonies.
Listen also to the unlikely but impressively confident stab at the old
Brenda Lee cover of "Lover Come Back To Me" or the rousing
reworking of Guy Clark and Lee Roy Parnell's "Too Much" -
here given a Johnny Cash style delivery - and you know these guys not
only know their musial roots, they revel in them.
By the time of the closing self-penned rocker "Short Time Here
And a Long Time Gone", and the hard driving "Sweet Talker"
the Whitney Roberts Combo have hit base.
File under F for Fun. Roots music was never so eloquent.
Review
by Pete Feenstra for Soundcheck Magazine
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