Treat Me Right
The first time I ever heard, heard of, or met Robin Rogers was at the Blues City Café during the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2003. Since then, she has recorded a couple of albums including the new one “Treat Me Right” (Blind Pig, BPCD 5123.)
Robin’s voice is richer and more expressive than I remember and her delivery suits the songs, whether it’s the plaintive title track or the rocking “Don’t Leave Poor Me.” 1930’s styled “Ain’t No Use” followed by “Can You Hear Me Now” blend into a single story of the end of a broken love and triumphant resolve to start over-alone if necessary but alone if that’s what it takes to survive.
Track 5, “Color Blind Angel” is easily the most disturbing song on the record. This tribute to murdered Detroit mother and Alabama civil rights activist Viola Liuzza tells one of the unheard stories of the worst days of the 1960’s. Strong beat, and even stronger lyrics, this is not a song to dance to, but instead is one to bite your lip, listen and think about. In contrast to the stark, Dobro and stomp based production of “Angel”, Miss Rogers follows quickly with the lavish, horn fueled gospel blues “Promised Land”, which on this listen is my favorite of the CD.
The next three songs, “Nobody Stays”, “ Drunkard’s Alley,” and “Nobody’s Gonna Hurt You,” flow together nicely and provide a smooth let-down all the way to the Peggy Lee style “Moan” and “Dark Love.”
This is a vocal album, with proper emphasis on Robin’s vocals. Production throughout the album sounds right for the songs. Arrangements are simple-primarily guitar, bass, drums, and B3 with just enough horns and harmonica to highlight Robin’s voice.
And make no mistake-this is an album, not just a collection of songs thrown together on a CD. Unlike many recent CD’s I’ve heard, someone obviously paid attention to song sequence and plotted an effective mix of up and down, fast and slow, just as a good performer plans a set, this is a very good CD planned to be listened to as a whole.
The first time I ever heard, heard of, or met Robin Rogers was at the Blues City Café during the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2003. Since then, she has recorded a couple of albums including the new one “Treat Me Right” (Blind Pig, BPCD 5123.)
Robin’s voice is richer and more expressive than I remember and her delivery suits the songs, whether it’s the plaintive title track or the rocking “Don’t Leave Poor Me.” 1930’s styled “Ain’t No Use” followed by “Can You Hear Me Now” blend into a single story of the end of a broken love and triumphant resolve to start over-alone if necessary but alone if that’s what it takes to survive.
Track 5, “Color Blind Angel” is easily the most disturbing song on the record. This tribute to murdered Detroit mother and Alabama civil rights activist Viola Liuzza tells one of the unheard stories of the worst days of the 1960’s. Strong beat, and even stronger lyrics, this is not a song to dance to, but instead is one to bite your lip, listen and think about. In contrast to the stark, Dobro and stomp based production of “Angel”, Miss Rogers follows quickly with the lavish, horn fueled gospel blues “Promised Land”, which on this listen is my favorite of the CD.
The next three songs, “Nobody Stays”, “ Drunkard’s Alley,” and “Nobody’s Gonna Hurt You,” flow together nicely and provide a smooth let-down all the way to the Peggy Lee style “Moan” and “Dark Love.”
This is a vocal album, with proper emphasis on Robin’s vocals. Production throughout the album sounds right for the songs. Arrangements are simple-primarily guitar, bass, drums, and B3 with just enough horns and harmonica to highlight Robin’s voice.
And make no mistake-this is an album, not just a collection of songs thrown together on a CD. Unlike many recent CD’s I’ve heard, someone obviously paid attention to song sequence and plotted an effective mix of up and down, fast and slow, just as a good performer plans a set, this is a very good CD planned to be listened to as a whole.
