It's a Long Old Roadby Anonymous

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April 29, 2003: I don't want to get too critical, as i worship the man's originality, spirit, playing, and most under-captured, his incredible voice. This release is one of the better combinations of all his elements. I suspect he didn't sing as soulfully on studio releases, as VANGUARD's LIVE AT NEWPORT will silence all doubters of this possibility. He seems to have been a shy man, but somehow let it fly on VANGUARD's live release.(sadly, only 3 songs total, i think--how bout it, VANGUARD?) At any rate, ITS A LONG OLD ROAD also captures Robert much more coordinated in his approach. (FREE AGAIN and the ARHOOLIE RELEASES seem to occupy similar territory). If you've listened to Robert's slide playing, you've undoubtedly been a little let down. The man had furthur to go in this style. Such is the complicated nature of this genius. In fairness, i've read his later years(when he did mostly slide on recordings) were worse than in prison when it came to his 70 hour a week workload imposed by the parole board. He's definitely a little tired with his slide. The man can create a sound YOU WOULD THINK more bluesmen could pull off, almost as if he was appropriating a cliched style, often used to haunt listeners. One of the most profound, sad discoveries i've made is that NO OTHER BLUESMAN EVER CAME CLOSE TO ROBERT PETE in spirit, style, improvisation, creativity, and originality. Show me an artist anywhere in the genre that can howl like the man. This album is one of a few that eases my soul, until one day, god-willing, i may meet the man. It is a long old road.