The O-town Scene - Oneonta, NY
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New Music Notes by Mark Boshnack guitarist Eric Clapton were “messing around with some musical ideas,” over the course of a couple of weeks, according to Robertson. Both got busy with other projects, and the music was forgotten for years. Robertson came across the work several years ago and suggested they finish it. This is Robertson’s first release in more than a decade, and he doesn’t disappoint, aided by Clapton and appearances by several other well- known musicians. The Band member shares life wisdom on new solo album There is nothing like a visit from an old friend. That is how it felt spending the week with the new release from Robbie Rober- ston, “How To Become Clairvoyant.” Anyone who has heard of The Band or listened to Bob Dylan in his greatest years knows the work of this Canadian genius. Robertson was with the lead guitarist in Dylan’s band when he went electric, along with members of what became The Band. He was that group’s best songwriter, re- sponsible for songs such as “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and one of its best, “King Harvest (Has Surely Come).” He hasn’t lost his storytelling ability in his solo career. That can be heard from the opening track on his new album, “Straight Down the Line,” where he tells the story of an old bluesman “with a walking cane who wore a striped suit and used someone else’s name. ... He said: ‘I’ve seen it all, and it’s not what you think. There’s some tough choices to be made,’ and then he took a little drink.” It summarizes the album. This is not the work of a “young gun” out to show the world he’s got what it takes. Robertson shares the wisdom of someone who has seen the world, but still enjoys rocking. It is an album that began more than a de- cade ago, when Robertson and legendary “He Don’t Live Here Any- more” is one of several songs where the two old friends can be heard together. This tale of desperation has a driving beat, filled with the two trading solos as the work closes. Robertson has done a lot of work on movie soundtracks over the years, and you can hear that influence on a beautiful instrumental titled “Madame X” and again on “Tango for Django,” which has a world music sound. Other standouts include “Axman,” featuring Tom Morello, guitarist from Rage Against the Machine, and “Won’t be Back,” a beautiful song reminiscent of The Band’s “The Unfaithful Servant,” with its lyricism and poignant tale of loss. The album’s title song has a great cast of characters that want to know how to see around corners and know what’s to come to avoid the disappointments in life. It also has a chorus that sticks in your head. Dylan called Robertson a mathematical guitar genius. It’s great to hear him still showing the skills that made him one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s Top Guitarists Of All Time. I just wish he would come to town and set a spell. But if that can’t happen, I’ll enjoy it with my iPod turned up loud. Mark Boshnack is a reporter for The Daily Star and a music fiend. He can be reached at mbosh- nack@thedailystar.com. FIND OCA ON FACEBOOK IMANI WINDS Friday, April 15, 2011 • 8:00 PM First United Methodist Church, Oneonta Sponsored by WSKG Radio Oneonta Concert Association programs are made possible, in part, by The New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency. OCA is supported by the Dewar Foundation, the A.C. Molinari Foundation, and other area foundations. OCA is a member of the Otsego County Arts Alliance, funded by Otsego County Occupancy Tax Revenues and Wilber National Bank. Wilber National Bank is proud to support the arts and their contribution to our quality of life. For more information about events in Otsego County, call 800-843-3394. Time Warner is a major media sponsor of Oneonta Concert Association. For information call 607-433-7252 or visit www.oneonta.edu/oca April 14, 2011 O-Town Scene 5