BILL SHEFFIELD Got A Gig, Gotta Go
American Roots Records
A new album from the big Atlanta Bluesman is always a pleasure to be
savoured with relish and this one is an absolute cracker. Bill’s superb
fingerpicking and sliding plus his passionate vocals are all over this fine
set of mostly self penned songs. The material is bluesy, rootsy and folky
Americana with a dash of country and a strong spiritual element to some of
the songs. Opener ‘Three Man Band’ is a rocker which goes straight for the
jugular and doesn’t let go until we’ve completed a whirlwind tour of Panama
City, Apalachicola and “A room full of red neck rowdies”. Phew! Incidentally
our own Dave Saunders (ex Producers) plays bass and gets a co-writing
credit on this song. Next up is ‘Kalamazoo’ wherein Bill sits on his back porch picking his trusty 1935 guitar and contemplates life, death, the universe and other trivial matters. ‘The Great Society’ is a tale of how money is supposed to trickle down through society but somehow never reaches those of us at the bottom of the food chain and this track features great harmonica from Jon Liebman. ‘These Four Walls’ tells of a daughter lost to Bill at the age of 4 and the stark setting of Bill’s guitar set against keening fiddle makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The thing with Bill is “it’s all about the songs” and every single word
can be heard throughout this album because the production from Nashville’s Rex Schnelle is always spot on and enhances the songs. A well chosen and exquisite cover of Richard Thompson’s ‘1952 Black Vincent Lightning’ features wonderful fingerpicking and touches of mandolin which adds extra colour to this sad tale and this song forms the centrepiece of the album. Final song on this wonderful CD is the title track ‘Got A Gig, Gotta Go’ in which Bill tells his lady “Just be waiting for me with your feet up in the air. Because I’ll be coming home horny”.
This is already a contender for roots album of the year.
Dave Drury
Hi Hello Coucou!!! Looks like you are pretty busy these days!!! Let me know if you plan to jump over here at the old continent, ok? Hello to Anita!!!! Katerina
I miss you plan and simple. you sure do look snazzy in that outfit. but id miss you if you wore a sack. more if it had a hole in the front. (oops jkidding!)
Greetings Mr. Sheffield!! Just stopping by to say thanks for a great show on Friday!! Now looking forward to next year when you return to Somerset (or should that be winter-set?!) All the Best! James
Hope your doing well, Bill. We see your due back in the U.S. soon. We're looking forward to seeing you in FL next month. Safe travels. Keep the faith. LJ
Hi sex kitten! Just wanted to say you will be missed dearly at Northside! Thats why I first started coming to Northside, you and Donnie on Tuesday nights. What a blast! Please stay in touch always know your music made my heart sing! xoxo
I miss you Billy. I miss Tues. I miss back in the days.. you know the ones, Donnie, summertime, im gonna call them the good ole days. but yes, I reckin we all gotta move, I just hope our paths dont go too very far apart. Your friend for real and true. sara
