Music Review: Bobby Rush With Blinddog Smokin’, Decisions

By Melissa Bratcher

On his new release Decisions, bluesman Bobby Rush is not only joined by the band Blinddog Smokin’ but also by longtime friend Dr. John, the latter providing piano and vocals on the lead single “Another Murder In New Orleans.” While tracks like “Another Murder In New Orleans” and the titular song “Decisions” are straightforward, serious songs, the bulk of the record is composed of much lighter, sillier fare. It’s an interesting combination.

“Another Murder In New Orleans” was written as a fundraiser for Crimestoppers and addresses the scourge of post-Katrina violence. Lyrically, it shows the juxtaposition of the beauty and vibrancy of New Orleans with its crazy high murder rate. Rush’s silky smooth voice is joined by the force of nature that is Dr. John and the gorgeous, soulful backup vocals of Linda Gustafson. The accompanying DVD features the moody video as well as interviews with Rush and Dr. John.

“Decisions” is another socially aware song with Rush’s well-worn vocals over the quite subtle accompaniment of Blinddog Smokin’. It features one of the best lines ever written: “Making a decision ‘bout a toad frog that sits on a log/ ‘cuz what’s fun for a five year old boy could be death for a slow toad frog.” His fade out vocals are wonderful. The closing bonus track “Sittin’ Here Waitin’” is another serious one with a great guitar sound and nicely bubbling organ on the verses. It’s both simple and effective.

After the solemnity of “Another Murder In New Orleans” and “Decisions,” the middle section of the record is surprising with its frivolity. “Bobby Rush’s Bus” is ’70s era funk about tour bus indiscretions with glorious backup harmonies. Each of the musicians is introduced and gets a moment in the spotlight to do his or her thing. “If That’s The Way You Like It I Like It” is drenched in funk and has a truly fine sax sound. “Funky Old Man” revolves around Rush’s pure blues voice and funny lyrics and a smart rap. “Skinny Little Women” visits one of Rush’s recurring motifs; Bobby Rush likes the ladies with a little something extra. It’s a straight up blues song with loads of harmonica and banter with Blinddog Smokin’s Carl Gustafson (who also features prominently in “Bobby Rush’s Bus.”) “Dr. Rush” is an imagined call-in show done in rap which posits that all the male callers’ problems are due to their women being hungry.

The closing non-bonus track, “Too Much Weekend” begins acoustically with nice harmonica and is a showcase for Rush’s warm vocals. It’s instantly relatable: “You know I’m not drunk/but I sure been drinkin’” and most of us have had those weekends that ruin a Monday (and possibly a Tuesday).

Decisions is a curious album. There are moments of such sober thoughtfulness that the slighter songs (though they make up the bulk of the record) seem out of place. The great voice and persona of Bobby Rush carry the songs and elevate them beyond what they would be in the hands of a lesser artist.

Decisions was released on April 15 through Silver Talon Records.