Bob Margolin

In North Carolina

2007-03-22

Guitarist Bob Margolin has spent a long career as a sideman for the likes of legendary first generation bluesmen such as Muddy Waters, Hubert Sumlin, Pinetop Perkins and Carey Bell and has also waxed numerous solo discs. This disc marks his first “homemade” effort having been recorded entirely at his home studio and featuring only his own instrumental tracks and vocals. Freed of the constraints of having musicians on the clock and a studio meter running, Margolin uses the opportunity to romp through many different styles of blues. Kicking things off with the raucous slide frenzy of "Tell Me Why" Margolin takes a run at everything from slinky, swampy blues, "In North Carolina", to old-timey, front porch acoustic blues, "You Rascal You", to County & Western style lap steel blues, "Floyd’s Guitar Blues", to hot wired electric Chicago blues, "Lonely Man Blues" and even some T-Bone Walker style West Coast blues, "Natural Blues". Throughout, his guitar playing reflects lessons well learned from his masters. He never overplays and hits just the right sweet spots to make the tunes stick. His vocals are another matter. While Margolin’s voice is perfectly fine for the more upbeat electric numbers it has nowhere to hide when things slow down and go acoustic. Ouch! Overall, the vocal deficiencies are a minor complaint given the strength of Margolin’s guitar chops. Smitty