This Guitar And Tonight
VizzTone, 2019
8/10
Listen to This Guitar And Tonight
Bob Margolin has a lengthy and esteemed career that has only lacked one thing until now- an acoustic album. Inspired by Muddy Waters saying that he prefers acoustic guitar, Margolin’s 1935 parlor guitar and Amy Brat nudging him, Margolin puts another creative chapter into his always impressive catalog of music.
The title track starts the listen with bluesy guitars and Margolin’s howling vocals on the rhythmic and playful opener where Jimmy Vivino adds 2nd guitar, and “Evil Walks In Our World” follows with inventive guitar work as Margolin performs vocal acrobatics that span from talking to exploring his range.
Elsewhere, “Blues Lover” is indeed a gem for those who love blues as Bob Corritore adds warm harmonica to the affair, while “Good Driving Song” delivers spirited guitar work in the reflective instrumental.
Deeper into the fun, “I Can’t Take Those Blues Away” has Margolin doing what he does best, displaying skilled musicianship and vivid storytelling, and “Predator” ends the listen with 8 minutes of soft storytelling as Margolin sums up the political and social climate of today’s unstable climate.
Margolin takes a gamble here with by drifting from his louder blues formula, and his intimate and emotive excursion makes for one of the most impressive soft blues records of the year.
Travels well with: Bob Corritore- Do The Hip Shake Baby; Rick Vito- Soulshaker