Robert Connely Farr – Pandora Sessions
Robert Connely Farr is back, and he is dirtier, darker and better than ever. The first track, “How Am I?” spells out what to expect from this gritty blues album, one that I strongly recommend listening to in its entirety, not once, but many times. It hits right, whether at work, on the road or at home with your loved one.
What is it that makes this blues record so good? The rawness.
Pandora Sessions is Mississippi blues straight from the soul. No filter. No overdubs. “It ain’t no big-time studio, record label, lots of money kind of album,” Farr said in a recent release about the record. “This is a ‘show up at the juke joint, plug the fuck in and get to work kind of album.’” Pandora Sessions was recorded at a private studio in Vancouver, British Columbia and produced, recorded and mixed by Jay Bundy Johnson, who also backs Farr up on drums.
I especially love the bass-driven jams with Drop-D grooves, like “Everybody’s Dyin’,” the “Runnin’ Hiding Jam” instrumental and “Gettin’ Tired of Gettin’ Old.
The Junior Kimbrough influence is evident throughout the album, but it’s intentional on “Prowler,” another one of my faves. Johnson’s beat here really cooks. This is roots blues at its best and Farr has it down to a T. You believe him, and you can’t help but move your head back and forth.
What makes Farr’s sound unique is his growly vocals, sometimes reminiscent of Mule Variations era Tom Waits – which lends itself naturally to trans-stomp blues progressions.
“Jackson Town” has another Kimbroughish groove, one that transports you to a dive bar in the deep south. While listening to this groove, I picture Farr in the corner on a small stage, lights dimmed out, the smell of whiskey and bad decisions ever present. The build on this song is one of the best parts of the album. It’s just as menacing as it is groovy. And it probably has the coolest line on the album: “whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when you find out everything is true?”
“Take it Slow” reminds me of pre-Brothers Black Keys, and has a riff that’s catchy as hell – even Beatlesy. The arrangement is simple, but crafty and effective. The whole album is like that: organic basement blues, and Farr cranks out one after another. “Train Keeps Rollin’’ is another favorite. The souped-up solo will keep your ears buzzin’. Crank that shit up.
Pandora Sessions is streaming now. Check it out. For more information, go to http://www.robertconnelyfarr.com. The album is dedicated to Mississippi Big Blues Mane – RL Boyce – a friend and mentor of Farr’s.
Highlights: “Prowler,” “Jackson Town,” “Gettin’ Tired of Gettin’ Old,” Take It Slow,” “Train Keeps Rollin’”
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Robert Connely Farr Shake It