But, I’m Still Around – The Roberson Brothers Reunion (tbgb review)

But, I’m Still Around
The Roberson Brothers Reunion, featuring Pastor Van D. Roberson
(private press) 2008
For information, call: 714-504-7393

Despite the fact that it is a privately-produced recording, But, I’m Still Here, a reunion of the Roberson Brothers, is visually and aurally pleasing.

Adorned with vintage photos, including a 1961 promotional photo of the brothers when they were the Israelite Voices of Peace, the recording opens with Pastor Van D. Roberson and Ray C. Roberson, Sr. offering a brief history of the group. Early lo-fi recordings play in the distance as if on the family stereo.

The Southern California-based Robersons cite the Pilgrim Jubilees as one of their influences. Listening to the CD, one will indeed recognize a marked musical resemblance to the Jubes, no doubt because long-time Jube Major Roberson is kin. Sermonettes or story songs on But, I’m Still Here, such as “Lord Have Mercy” (featuring a canny “little old lady”) and “Brother to Brother” are vintage Pilgrim Jubilee fare, as are the shouting vocals and fancy guitar work.

The brothers’ “Amazing Grace” is the first example I’ve ever heard of the timeless hymn erupting into an extemporaneous COGIC-style running and shouting instrumental, but it works nicely. Other notable tracks are the old school church title track and the pumping “Jesus, He Means So Much to Me.” A lineup of guest stars, including Pastor Calvin Bernard Rhone, appears on the final track, singing the fitting “Blest Be the Tie that Binds.”

The project would have been even better had the quartet reprised some of its 70s hits, such as “City to City.” Nevertheless, quartet fans will enjoy this project, and any CD prefaced with historic provenance warms my heart.

Three of Four Stars