The Blues is inextricably linked to Hard Rock right from the very birth of our beloved genre.
From the Rolling Stones working with Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, to Jimi Hendrix bringing the Blues into an exciting new era, and Led Zeppelin borrowing heavily from the Willie Dixon songbook, Blues and Hard Rock have been natural bedfellows for well over half a century.
Louisiana’s Robert Finley, at 72 years old, has been around the block a few times, but those lived experiences are brought into his music in a deeply passionate and emotive way, delivered with a voice that is hewn from gravel and soaked in vintage whiskey yet can slip effortlessly, in sharp contrast, into a choirboy falsetto.
Backed by a top-quality band, all hats and beards, including the inspiring guitar work of Liam Spratt and the beautiful backing vocals of Finley’s daughter, Christy Johnson, this was one special night.
Dressed smartly in a silver, paisley jacket, shades, and a wide-brimmed hat, Finley looked super cool and, with a few nifty dance moves to match and a charming stage presence where he told stories of hardship and losing his woman, in true Blues fashion, but all told with a sly grin and a cheeky smile, he was the real deal.
From the Muscle Shoals style of opener “I Just Want To Tell You” to the deep, gritty “Medicine Woman” and the simply sublime “I Want To Thank You” and the swaggering groove of “Helping Hand”, Finley delivered an absolute masterclass in Soulful Blues.
“Nobody Wants To Be Alone”, a song inspired by his best friend, Mr. Birch, suffering a stroke and living in a nursing home where many elderly people have no visitors, really struck home on an emotional level leaving Finley dabbing tears from his eyes, while a few in the audience did the same. Such is the power of music.
Christy Johnson, showed she was a branch of her father as she sang “My Father’s Keeper” in a genuinely moving tribute to her proud Dad and their duet together on “Souled Out On You” was a genuine highlight of the night topped off by a simply beautiful guitar solo from Spratt.
“What Goes Around” and the smooth, cool, sassy “Holy Ghost Party” featured the impressive Spratt with some fine wah-wah and slide guitar.
Those who enjoy the Bluesy side of Rock such as Black Crowes, Blackberry Smoke and especially DeWolff, would find much to enjoy in Finley’s music. Quite possibly the best Blues voice around today.
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