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
Hey, Bill. Really like Thumpin on the Book. Great song. I'll have to come out and see you soon. Check out myspace.com/mikemarinelli for my demo. I'm playing Fri night at Ruffino's on Barrett west of 41 in Publix Shopping Center. Come see me and as my guest your party can get 50% off Entre. Anyone can get this if they say there my guest. Any weekend 6 - 9:30 Fri/Sat nights
Hey there - miss you tons! I was just telling a friend up here about the thanksgiving night when I had such a blast dancing to the 10 minute version of "Stagger Lee" that you and Leibman played so Jeremy and I could boogie our asses off:) Chicago Blues Festival is June 12-14 and I am sooo excited! Hope all is well with you - love, eileen
We hope you can join us for this 1st annual 3 day festival in Loganville,Ga. We are musicians helping women and childrens' shelters in our North Ga. area. $1 raffles all weekend long, win great merch donated by local business'. May 1,2,3 at Atmosphere on Hwy 78. Only $10 per day. bring wristband back for discount at the door . Hope to see you there. Check out all the great bands playing.
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