 |
| © 2007 Blues-Finland.com |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Deivert’s musical career started seriously in the beginning of the 70s after he moved to San Francisco. He played there as a street musician and gathered a lot of experience. However, Bert has lived in Sweden for a long time, and there he has had the opportunity of working together with Eric Bibb and Wanda Jackson, among others. “Mandolin is a scorned instrument in acoustic blues” Bert says, referring to his favorite instrument, “and very few artists produce albums featuring mandolin.” “Takin’ Sam’s Advice” – naturally doesn’t leave you wanting for mandolin. The instrument casts its sweet voice on many pieces.The only Deivert-original on the record, “When You Got a True Friend”, written together with Brian Kramer, is a good example of that. The piece belongs to the freshest part of the album, with mandolin playing suiting Kramer's acoustic guitar very well. The other outstanding mandolin track is the energetic opening piece “Seems Like a Dream”. This driving piece on the record is actually hit material. The song, recorded by Yank Rachell in 1941, will also appear on the Rachell tribute record which will be published at the end of autumn. Folk song interpretation “Crow Jane” is also lively and it is spiced by by the vocal background singing of Emmy Deivert and the banjo of Gunnar Backman. The Sleepy John Estes interpretation of “Broke and Hungry” reminds one of Deivert’s and Peter Case’s years on the streets of Frisco. The “duo” plays a fearless, inspiring version of the song. Among more minimalistic tracks are “My Baby’s Gone” (also Rachell) and particularly Son House’s “Levee Camp Moan” which Deivert performs in a direct attacking manner – the piece is over seven minutes long as if it would underline the agony which lies in the true-life background of the song. Worth mentioning are also the folk melodies “Morning Blues” which Bert interprets clearly with respect to John Sebastian, as well as “Missisippi Blues” which is decorated by the pleasant guitar figures of Lasse Boström. The album has the mark of a very strong tribute. This time one pays the deepest homage to Yank Rachell, whose pieces both begin and end the record. Though 14 songs might be considered a little too much for a record which is based on a rather minimal gallery of instruments, the carefully planned structure holds the listener's interest. It would have been nice to hear more original material. In any case, Bert Deivert is an excellent singer and musician who is performing at the Jyväskylä Blues Live! festival, and should not be missed! Bert Deivert: Takin' Sam's Advice. Gravitation, 2007 Deivert (vocals, guitar, mandolin) Nina Anderberg (fiddle), Gunnar Backman (banjo), Lasse Boström (guitar), Peter Case (guitar, harmonica, vocals), Emmy Deivert (backing vocals), Brian Kramer (guitar, vocals), Dan Magnusson (drums), Tom Paley (guitar), Per-Arne Pettersson (double bass), Mats Qwarfordt (harmonica), Janne Zander (guitar, backing vocals) Producers: Bert Deivert, Gunnar Backman, Janne Zander Link: Bert Deivert's website Song clips (mp3): When You Got a True Friend, Seems Like a Dream, Levee Camp Moan |
 |
| Acoustically yours 2.10.2007 ”Takin’ Sam’s Advice” is a cd by Bert Deivert, who is coming to Jyväskylä Blues Live. This Bostonian, who has moved to Sweden, takes a deep bow towards his musical godfathers Yank Rachell and Son House. “Takin’ Sam’s Advice” is the ninth album by Bert Deivert. This artist, born in Boston in 1950, was hooked on blues by Son House as a teenager, when he saw the Missisippi man on tv. The influence of his other great musical role model, Yank Rachell, can also been heard on the new record. |