Poster from Martha Vineyard club during Mr. Muldaur’s days with the Jim Kweskin Jug Band
Legendary soul vocalist, stylist and songsmith, Percy Mayfield
Image taken from Knopfler’s “All the Roadrunning.”
Mr. Knopfler has a lengthy track record, but for my money you can put the breaks on here with “Baloney Again.”
As to its anatomy. How bout the single organ key used to personify the cricket and using it all song long to buoy the spirit of the piece? Or the perfect lone gospel singer,- harmonica interplay? Or the loopy, steamy night atmosphere? Or unveiling the weary lonliness of racism? Then two separate, heart-rending guitar solos used to end it. The story line, provides an accurate, sadass snapshot of African American musicians trying to make it in the biz.
. “Well I’ll never get tired of Jesus, but it’s been a heavy load, carrying his precious love down a long dirt road”.
Intermittently, the gospel singers bathe this song with empathy that is on the outskirts of hope
Give it a few listens because this layered little masterpiece keeps on giving and it can take you away.
Jim Hoke is the featured harmonica player.
That’s the great Kim Wilson laying, as they say, it down, on harmonica.