Artist: Fenton Robinson Album: Special Road

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Special Road: An Introspective Critique of Fenton Robinson's Album

Fenton Robinson was a blues musician who contributed significantly to the world of music in the mid-20th century, known for his soulful voice and distinct guitar sound. One of his most iconic works was the album Special Road, which gave blues music enthusiasts a reason to rejoice. The album was released in 1977, and to this day, it remains a relevant contribution to the blues world. This blog post aims to provide a critical review of the album, exploring the history of Fenton Robinson, the music genre of the album, the greatest hits of the album, the most innovative parts, and, ultimately, a critique of the album.

Fenton Robinson was a Mississippi-born musician who was more well-known as a guitarist than a singer. He made a name for himself in the blues world in the late 1950s and early 1960s, working with several labels such as Duke and Chess Records. However, Robinson remained active in the music scene throughout his life, developing and refining his sound while producing several albums. Special Road was one of his standout works, a raw and soulful album that contains eight tracks of blues music.

Special Road is a blues album through and through, with Robinson's mournful voice accompanying his electrifying guitar riffs. He presents a raw and authentic approach to blues music, capturing the essence of the genre with every note. The album's blues style is rooted in the three-chord structure of the music, with Robinson's guitar patterns creating a perfect, harmonic rhythm. Additionally, the album features several songs that make use of the 12 bars blues structure, including I'm A Bluesman and I'm Gonna Withdraw From You.

The album's standout track is undoubtedly Somebody Loan Me A Dime, which features Duane Allman on slide guitar and Robinson's masterful playing and soulful vocals. With its powerful lyrics, intimate guitar solos, and evocative melody, the song exhibits the essence of Special Road's spirit. Other tracks, such as You Say You're Leaving and I Believe, offer heartfelt lyrics and rich harmonies that convey Robinson's passion for music.

The beauty of Special Road also lies in its innovative components. Robinson manages to infuse pop and rock elements into his blues music, creating a unique sound that is rare to find. In Tennessee Woman, Robinson uses a rock guitar riff instead of the usual blues chords, adding an extra flair to the song's melody. In I'm Gonna Withdraw From You, he incorporates a funky bassline in the opening, making the track more groovy and catchy.

Despite its brilliant production and captivating style, Special Road does have a few minor shortcomings. For one, the album's sound quality could have been better, especially considering the recording technology available at the time. Additionally, some of the songs sound too much alike, which is a common issue in blues music albums.

Special Road is undoubtedly a game-changing album, which set the standard for blues music. Fenton Robinson's undeniable talent, soulful voice, and fiery guitar riffs demonstrate his dedication to the music genre. The album serves as a testament to Robinson's contribution to the evolution of blues music. Its standout tracks, exceptional guitar sound, and innovative components continue to delight the ears of blues enthusiasts worldwide. While the production may not be perfect and some tracks sound similar to each other, the album remains a crucial piece of music history and a must-have for any blues aficionado.

Special Road is undoubtedly a game-changing album, which set the standard for blues music. Fenton Robinson's undeniable talent, soulful voice, and fiery guitar riffs demonstrate his dedication to the music genre. The album serves as a testament to Robinson's contribution to the evolution of blues music. Its standout tracks, exceptional guitar sound, and innovative components continue to delight the ears of blues enthusiasts worldwide. While the production may not be perfect and some tracks sound similar to each other, the album remains a crucial piece of music history and a must-have for any blues aficionado.