Search - Bobby Charles :: Last Train to Memphis

Bobby's Back!

Jonathan Katz | 09/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bobby Charles is a long time resident of New Orleans, and as far as I know, he has not been heard from since the hurricane. But that would not be unusual for him - he's a bit of a recluse and he could be just fine, and let's all hope so. Charles recently released a CD called "Last Train to Memphis." The title track was "covered" by the Band on "Jubilation," though the Band's version was released in 1998, and had additional lyrics contributed by Levon Helm et al. But Charles' version was recorded in 1998, so only a few know who's covering whom. The lyrics here are back to basics, but the playing is not - it is super, and so it goes into the next, and next, and all of the tracks. All of them are superb with a heavy dose of Sonny Landeth's slide guitar that drives many of the songs. Other contributors include Geoff Muldar, Pat Breaux, Rufus Thibodeaux, Wardell Quezergue, Fred Carter Jr., Ben Keith, the late Kenny Buttrey, Willie Nelson, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, and lots of others. Recording dates go back to 1980, but there's a consistency that carries throughout - Bobby Charles' laid back cajun style. Among the many highlights are the fiddle of Rufus Thibodeaux on "The Legend of Jolie Blonde." He weaves in and out of the melody in an infectious way - its magical. Possibly the most rousing track is "I Spent All My Money Loving You." Fine electric slide guitar from Sonny Landreth is complemented by equally fine piano from George Bitzer.



The CD comes with a bonus disc with cuts that appear to be mostly from the two most recent past releases, but I have not had a chance to see if there is anything new on this one. Its been on the CD player once, but most of the time I'm spinning "Last Train to Memphis" and hoping its not the last release from Bobby."

BC now

lowell duluth | Manchester, UK | 03/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bobby Charles`s eponymous first album was one of the well-kept secrets of rock, and he is, by his own admission, a reclusive, un-starry man.

This is a more than welcome double album that has great packaging, looks and feels good to own, has guest spots from, among others, Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Maria Muldaur (now there`s an underrated singer; check out her early solo albums) and - whoop! - the great Fats Domino (who of course recorded Charles`s immortal `Walking to New Orleans` way back when) - and the whole thing SOUNDS GREAT too!

Buy this, please."

A lotta more wonderful Americana than you might think!

jayhikkss | 10/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A while ago, I ordered this Bobby Charles album from the Amazon website and was delighted from the first listening.



In the first place, I would like to point out that this is a 2-CD set. The first CD includes the fifteen tracks actually listed by Amazon.com. They are "new" (that is: previously unreleased). The "bonus" second CD includes 19 tracks previously released on two Stony Plain CDs ("Wish You Were Here Tonight" from 1995 and "Secrets of The Heart" (1998.) It would take too much place to list them all. Overall, THIRTY-FOUR tracks are included on this UK album.



The booklet includes, for each track, complete credits regarding the recording studios, engineers, producers and individual musicians. The recording dates, however, are only indicated for the tracks on the first CD (why?)



The sequencing is not chronological and the material on both CD's criss-crosses the years randomly, stretching from 1975 to 2001! This could have spelled disaster but it actually works very well. It is remarkable that the song quality, the vocal delivery, the overall production and the general level of musicianship are so consistently first rate from beginning to end. The listener never gets the impression that the tracks were recorded over such a long time span.



Bobby Charles wrote all tracks, except for the amazing remake of "Walkin to New Orleans" (co-written by Fats Domino, of course), which features a short but delightful vocal cameo by the Fat Man himself.



What this superb singer-songwriter offers here is roots Americana at its very best, a genuine cornucopia of American traditions filtered through a personal vision of Crescent City Rhythm 'n' Blues.

All the material flows along satisfyingly enough, sung and performed with a relaxed confidence, a kind of musical bonhomie so laid back that it sometimes makes J. J. Cale sound positively restless in comparison! When I listen to this album, I pick one CD and play it in its entirety one, two or three times in a row. It is THAT good. So good indeed that I do not feel the need to list favourite tracks.



The lyrics have a suitably down home character while the musicianship is truly superb, quite often featuring the wonderful electric (slide) guitar from Sonny Landreth. But then again, there are so many fine musicians contributing that it is not possible to list them. I will mention some guest spots from, among others: Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Ben Keith, Dan Penn, Maria Muldaur, etc.



Merci pour ce délice, Monsieur Guidry!

"