Country Supper
Self-Released, 2020
9/10
A Canadian based singer-songwriter with his roots in Mississippi, Robert Connely Farr certainly retains the spirit of the south in his diverse formula that embraces Americana, country, folk and many different variations of the blues, too.
“Cypress Grove” starts the listen with plenty of warmth as slow burning blues rock guides the raw and emotive opener, and this powerful formula continues to the loud and thick southern rock of “Girl In The Holler”, as well as more bare, expressive and highly soulful “Catfish”.
The middle tracks impress, too, and include the gritty and poetic “Train Train”, while “All Good’” benefits greatly from bouncy bass lines amid strong riffs and proficient drumming. “Bad Bad Feeling”, one of the album’s best, then brings in Ben Yardley for a driving and melodic display of timeless blues that’s not short on grooves either.
“Lately” lands near the end and recruits breezy acoustic guitar as some folk and country ideas enter the cautious landscape, and “I Know I’ve Been Changed” exits the listen on an intimate, gospel influenced finish that’s both spiritual and gripping.
A record that points towards the past will still being very modern, Farr is just as versed in the area of Delta blues as he is indie-rock or alt-country, and it’s quite easy to see why Country Supper ended up on many year end lists. For fans of names of Springsteen, Earle and Fulks, you’re not going to want to pass this up.
Travels well with: Patrick Sweany- Close To The Floor; Kevin Burt- Stone Crazy