Star Of Stage And Screens
VizzTone, 2020
8/10
Listen to Star Of Stage And Screens
Bob Margolin has had an exceptional couple of years recently, but like everyone else whose livelihood and creative prowess relies on live music, all things came to a halt in early 2020. Not one to stifle his songwriting, Margolin penned these 6 tunes during lockdown, where themes surround Coronavirus, isolation, grief and coping.
Margolin starts the album with his always top notch bluesy slide guitar aligned with raw, soulful vocals on the bare, nearly heartbreaking title track, and “Love And Thanks” follows with a vocally expressive delivery that’s strategically aligned with minimal but effective guitar.
The back half of the EP brings us the emotive and often somber “For My Teachers”, where Spanish influences enter, while “Let It Go” moves quicker with vivid storytelling as Margolin offers some sage like advice on how to deal with the pandemic. “March 2020 In Stop Time” exits the listen with his anger and frustration at the surface, where he manages to channel the fears, rage and resentment we all share.
Self-produced and self-recorded, this is about as raw and real as it gets, just a guitar and his gritty vocals and, of course, 5 decades of experience playing the blues. Anyone who is fortunate enough to attend the first of Margolin’s shows since Covid struck, whenever that may be, is probably in for a real treat, as the legend clearly has much to say, and has managed to stay prolific despite the cessation of live music.
Travels well with: Dave Riley & Bob Corritore- Travelin’ The Dirt Road; Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters- Rise Up