The latest in his body of work arrives via Bella Union Records and producer Tucker Martine (Laura Veirs, My Morning Jacket) In 2004 ,Blau and Martine began with Tom T. Hall’s 1969 song, “That’s How I Got To Memphis”. Over a decade later, the collaboration produced 10 solid tracks, including covers of the Bee Gees, Townes Van Zandt, and Link Wray. The songs are a wonderful vehicle for Blau’s warm, sometimes cracking baritone and his genre blending, soul inflected lo fi country. The covers are recognizable yet distinctively Blau… Waylon Jennings “Dreaming My Dreams” sways, familiar but languid, the strings gliding in the distance. Jim James and Laura Veirs join Blau for a mesmerizing 10 minute cover of Link Wray’s 1971 “Fallin Rain”. The laid back groove and poignant lyrics faintly echo Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin On”…yet Blau claims the song eloquently, and the song choice is relevant today despite it’s 20th century origins. Blau’s rendition of The Bee Gees “To Love Somebody” tips the original lonely lament to up tempo optimism, with a joyous gospel choir and R&B horn lines punctuating the chorus while pedal steel guitar knits the song a solid country spine. This album is a great introduction, and a great invitation too, to listen and to mine through the prolific musical library of this unique artist. – Written by SLynch
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