Music review: Randall Bramblett – 鈥楯uke Joint at the Edge of the World鈥�
Besides having a great title, the latest album from Randall Bramblett is a gritty collection of road-weary tracks detailing spicy stories about life鈥檚 adventures experienced off the beaten path.
鈥淛uke Joint at the Edge of the World鈥� is a nod to the small clubs and honky-tonks nestled in forgotten places and the colorful people who spend their hard-earned paychecks to lose themselves in a little friendly conversation, a lot of adult beverages and plenty of spirited music that reaches down and touches the soul.
The Georgia native issued his first solo effort with 1975鈥檚 鈥淭hat Other Mile鈥� and has been racking up the musical miles as a solo act, session player and touring musician ever since.
An accomplished writer and multi-talented musician, Bramblett has worked alongside memorable artists such as Steve Winwood, Gregg Allman, Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, Bonnie Raitt and Widespread Panic. He also played with Chuck Leavell in the jazz-rock fusion band Sea Level.
If you aren鈥檛 familiar with Sea Level, allow me to take a brief detour and suggest that you treat yourself to the band鈥檚 1977 eponymous debt release featuring 鈥淩ain in Spain鈥� and 鈥淣othing Matters But the Fever.鈥�
Bramblett鈥檚 11th studio release shakes the rust off the fenders with opener 鈥淧lan B.鈥� Bramblett鈥檚 seasoned vocals feel right at home delivering the rousing track about exploring life without an agenda and, of course, no backup plan for when things go sideways.
鈥淧ot Hole on Main Street鈥� speaks to dealing with the daily struggles of trying to make ends meet, while 鈥淕arbage Man鈥� offers up a funky take on simply enjoying the position and placement that life has dealt you.
鈥淭rippy Little Thing鈥� sounds like psychedelic Eric Clapton with hints of vintage Cream, whereas 鈥淚 Just Don鈥檛 Have the Time鈥� serves as a smoldering blues number.
After over 40 years of performing, Bramblett pulls an unexpected surprise by recording his first cover track with a fine rendition of Beck鈥檚 鈥淒evil鈥檚 Haircut.鈥�
鈥淒o You Want to Be Free鈥� closes the set with a tender glimpse of hope and light surprisingly overtaking the dark gloom of the streets, proving that if you truly want to be free, don鈥檛 have a Plan B.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.