Shelton Powe Same Train

June 17, 2024

Shelton Powe

Same Train

Music Maker Foundation label

The Piedmont is a plateau region located in the Eastern United States. It is situated between the Atlantic and the Blue Ridge Mountains, stretching from New York in the north to central Alabama in the south. The width of the Piedmont varies, being narrow above the Delaware River but nearly 300 miles wide in North Carolina. The word Piedmont comes from Latin and translates to “at the foot of the mountains”.

Unlike the Delta blues, known for its raw, emotional depth, Piedmont blues has a lighter, more ragtime-influenced sound. It evolved as African American musicians blended traditional folk music with contemporary ragtime. The pioneers of Piedmont blues include musicians such as Blind Blake, the Reverend Gary Davis, Elizabeth Cotten, Etta Baker, and John Cephas. They mastered the art of fingerpicking.

This new album “Same Train” from Shelton Powe opens with “Daniel in the Lions Den”. Steeped in gospel like he just stepped out of church, Rowe shares the vocal with Johnny Ray Daniels. On “Jesus on the Mainline” Rowe sings with Anthony Daniels “call him up and tell him what you want”. “Who Brought the Potato Salad” is a fingerpicking instrumental. On “Train Comes Along” Rowe on guitar, is joined by Music Maker co-founder and director Tim Duffy on mandolin”.”Chicken Salad”, “I looked around and saw it was home…roast chicken leave me the bone”.

A walkin’ bass opens “Payday Mary”. “Sepsis Blues” is a syncopated blues with a narrative that begins “I want to tell you a story”. “Don’t Bother Me None” is a folksy song seething with tradition, again with Duffy on mandolin”. “Do Lord” is steeped in gospel this time with KeAmber Daniels sharing the vocal. The closer is the traditional when the “Saints Go Marching In” once again with Duffy’s mandolin”.

Music Maker co-founder Tim Duffy says “this is music performed in family living rooms, on front porches and in small congregations. It is an intimate look at Shelton Powe’s Piedmont blues.

Richard Ludmerer
Contributing Editor/Making A Scene

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