Bob Margolin - My Road

By Matt MacDonald

The latest release from singer/songwriter/guitarist and Muddy Waters Band alumnus Bob Margolin features 12 songs, seven of which are his own compositions, including one co-written with harp/guitar player Tad Walters. His strong writing and the surefooted backing of Walters and drummer/vocalist Chuck Cotton make for a thoughtful, understated album.

In fact, the word that comes to mind for My Road is philosophical. Recently, I had the chance to read a very engaging article by Margolin in Blues Music Magazine. It was all about aging, its path, and the acceptance of it. Almost every song here follows these themes in one way or another.

Of them, three of his originals best represent his effort to make sense of things. The catchy Chicago sounding opener My Whole Life exclaims and explains his concise summation of his fifty years onstage; the reflective Understanding Heart (with excellent rhythm harp from Walters) reaps the seed of a lesson first sowed as a child; and the wry Young And Old Blues (the closest musical counterpart to his article) amusingly marks the tipping see-saw points of perception. Add More And More, which deals with true love found, and a lot of life is touched on. These songs  with the exception of that last one  would also be hard for one to cover convincingly. This is when My Road is at its best: when its at its most personal.

That being said, while the covers are well chosen, one of them really jumps out. Nappy Browns Bye Bye Baby is sung as a duet with Chuck Cotton backed by Walters acoustic harmonica. It starts off simply enough, but then the interplay between the three becomes more intricate. It isnt tongue twistingly complicated, but it sounds as if theyve been doing this song together forever and, for an album dwelling so much on the passage of time, it fits.

Similarly, the folk-country sounding Ask Me No Questions could be from a century ago. It was surprising to see that this song about the return of someone long gone  and the very mixed emotions it brings  was co-written by Walters and Margolin. In mood, content, and mindset, it works.
While My Road is a very strong effort, Margolins singing voice takes a little getting used to. Its deep  sometimes very deep  which is fine but, on some songs, it sounds almost like an ever so slightly slowed down tape playing. To varying extent, More And More, I Shall Prevail, and Goodnight fall into this category. Listening for the first time, I thought to myself, Well, thats just Bob. But on other tunes its not nearly as noticeable and, on Feelin Right Tonight it doesnt come across that way at all. Perhaps its a style choice. In any case, I got used to it quickly - his confident, relaxed delivery of meaningful songs no doubt helped with that.

In short, Margolins introspective expression and his trios comfort with each other make My Road both a worthwhile and an enjoyable listening experience.
www.bobmargolin.com