Louis Charles Robinson

b. May 13th, 1914 in Brenham (Texas)

d. September 26th, 1976 in Berkeley (California)

OAKLAND BLUES

World Pacific

September - October 1968

Il aurait appris la guitare et la technique du bottleneck dès l'enfance grâce au légendaire bluesman texan Blind Willie Johnson. Influencé par le Western Swing et Leon Mac Auliffe, L.C. joue avec son frère harmoniciste A.C. Robinson dès les années 30. Ils s'installent durant la décennie suivante à Oakland en Californie. Dans cette superbe anthologie concoctée par Steve LaVere, on peut entendre cinq titres magnifiques de L.C. Robinson : "Separate ways", "Jake Rabbit boogie", "Train time blues", "Clean your house", "Bringing my baby back home". Formidable chanteur et excellent guitariste, L.C. est aussi accompagné pour cette séance de sidemen chevronnés comme Dave Alexander ou Lafayette Thomas.

He reportedly learned to play the guitar and master the bottleneck technique as a child thanks to the legendary Texas bluesman Blind Willie Johnson. Influenced by Western Swing and Leon Mac Auliffe, L.C. began performing with his brother, harmonica player A.C. Robinson, as early as the 1930's. The following decade, they relocated to Oakland, California. This superb anthology, compiled by Steve LaVere, features five magnificent tracks by L.C. Robinson : "Separate ways", "Jake Rabbit boogie", "Train time blues", "Clean your house", "Bringing my baby back home". A formidable singer and an excellent guitarist, L.C. is also joined on these sessions by seasoned sidemen such as Dave Alexander and Lafayette Thomas.

UPS AND DOWNS

Arhoolie

September - December 1971

MOJO IN MY HAND

Arhoolie

September - December 1971 / November 1975

Domicilié avec sa femme Peggy à West Berkeley, travaillant dans une blanchisserie tout en jouant sa musique dans les clubs californiens, L.C. Robinson eut l'occasion de participer à plusieurs séances en 1971 et 1975, grâce au producteur Chris Strachwitz. Il enregistre, tout d'abord, avec les musiciens de Muddy Waters et Charlie Musselwhite. Lors d'une autre séance, il est accompagné de musiciens californiens, en particulier le superbe pianiste Dave Alexander. Enfin, une troisième séance est, en fait, l'enregistrement d'une émission de radio sur KPFA dans laquelle son frère harmoniciste (et révérend) joue à ses côtés dans une inspiration gospelisante. Tous ces morceaux sont absolument remarquables, parfaitement interprétés et bourrés de feeling. Alternant entre guitare et violon, il grave les formidables "Mojo in my hand", "Ups and downs", "Pinetop's boogie woogie", "Can't be a winner" (chanté par James Madison), "She got it from the start", "Things go bad in California", "New train time", "Jesus did I know", "Something mighty sweet about the Lord". Il faut préférer la version CD qui possède 9 titres supplémentaires. Un disque indispensable.

Living in West Berkeley with his wife, Peggy, and working in a laundry while performing his music in California clubs, L.C. Robinson had the opportunity to take part in several recording sessions in 1971 and 1975, thanks to producer Chris Strachwitz. He first recorded with musicians from Muddy Waters band and Charlie Musselwhite. In another session, he was backed by California-based musicians, most notably the superb pianist Dave Alexander. A third session consists of a recording from a radio broadcast on KPFA, featuring his brother — a harmonica player and ordained minister — who joins him for some gospel-infused music. All of these tracks are truly remarkable, flawlessly performed, and brimming with soul. Alternating between guitar and violin, he laid down fantastic cuts such as "Mojo in my hand", "Ups and downs", "Pinetop's boogie woogie", "Can't be a winner" (sung by James Madison), "She got it from the start", "Things go bad in California", "New train time", "Jesus did I know", "Something mighty sweet about the Lord". The CD version is the one to choose, as it includes nine additional tracks. An essential record.

HOUSE CLEANIN' BLUES

Bluesway

ABC

June 1974

Cet album produit par Al Smith sur le label Bluesway n'a jamais été réédité en CD. L.C. Robinson - comme à son habitude - alterne la guitare et le violon avec le même feeling. Lors de ces séances, il est notamment accompagné du pianiste Robert Hooker (fils de John Lee Hooker) et du guitariste Luther Tucker. Un programme brut et intense avec des pistes accrocheuses comme "House cleanin' blues", "Summerville blues", "Texas blues", "Stop now", "Train time", "Southern bound", "Standin' in line". L.C. Robinson participa aux éditions 1973 et 1974 du San Francisco Blues Festival puis, l'année suivante, voyagea en Suède, invité par la Scandinavian Blues Society. Une attaque cardiaque l'emporte en septembre 1976.

This album, produced by Al Smith for the Bluesway label, has never been reissued on CD. As was his custom, L.C. Robinson alternates between guitar and violin, bringing the same deep feeling to both. During these sessions, he is joined by, among others, pianist Robert Hooker (son of John Lee Hooker) and guitarist Luther Tucker. It is a raw, intense collection featuring compelling tracks such as "House cleanin' blues", "Summerville blues", "Texas blues", "Stop now", "Train time", "Southern bound", "Standin' in line". L.C. Robinson performed at the 1973 and 1974 editions of the San Francisco Blues Festival, and the following year, he traveled to Sweden at the invitation of the Scandinavian Blues Society. He passed away from a heart attack in september 1976.