The Mark Robinson Band

Live at The Five Spot

Blind Chihuahua

Mark Robinson hails from Bloomington Indiana. After college he moved to Chicago and played guitar with Jimmy Johnson, Son Seals, Koko Taylor and Lonnie Brooks. When he returned to Bloomington to take a job he played guitar with soul bluesman Tad Robinson and Americana artist Carrie Newcomer. In 2004 Robinson quit his job and moved to Nashville; there he wrote songs, played guitar and recorded with Davis Raines, Michael Conner Rogers, Brian Langlinais, Johnny Neel and others.

Robinson released his blues and Americana debut “Quit Your Job – Play Guitar” in 2011 with special guests Johnny Neel on the B-3 and Tracy Nelson singing backup.

Robinson’s follow-up blues rock recording was 2013’s “Have Axe Will Groove”. This new live recording is Robinson’s third album overall. The Mark Robinson Band also includes Daniel Seymour, bass and vocals; and Rick Schell, drums and vocals.

Robinson’s guitar intro opens “Baby’s Gone To Memphis” written by Raines and Rogers. The song is a great blues rock vehicle as Robinson rips some brilliant guitar solos. In the song, his girl runs off to see Elvis. The song was previously recorded by Robinson on his 2013 recording. Also reprised from that album is a seven and a half minute boogie, “Drive Real Fast”, with Mark T. Jordan, keyboards; and Ben Graves added on harp.

“I Can’t Get Next To You” was written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. In 1969 it was a huge hit for The Temptations. Robinson’s version is a funky groove with the rhythm section becoming background singers.

“Poor Boy” and “I Know You’ll Be Mine” are two songs written by Robinson that are reprised from his debut recording. “One Way Ticket” and “Under Her Spell” are both new songs; the latter with Chip Clarke sitting in on drums.

The closer is Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater’s “I Wouldn’t Lay My Guitar Down” which causes the breakup of his relationship; the song appears on The Chief’s “Reservation Blues” co-produced by Duke Robillard on The Bullseye Blues label in 2000.

This fine blues rock album will bring The Mark Robinson Band some well deserved attention.

Richard Ludmerer

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