TBGB Pick of the Week: April 5, 2010

“I Believe”
Neal Roberson
From the Broken Chains Entertainment CD
Lord, I Thank You (2010)
www.BrokenChainsEntertainment.org

The bracing title track of Bishop Neal Roberson’s debut album, Lord, I Thank You, released last month on his new Broken Chains Entertainment imprint, is likely to be the single designate. The more musically interesting track from the album, to my ears, is “I Believe,” written by Pharis Evans, Jr., nephew of Rev. Dr. Clay Evans.

The performance draws on Roberson’s enthusiasm for the traditional sound by employing for its backdrop a quartet and the rollin’ and tumblin’ electric Chicago blues rhythm of Howlin’ Wolf. In fact, at any time during the song, one expects the ghost of Chester Burnett to let loose with his trademark “Weh-ellllll…” in that unforgettable gravelly growl. Instead, Robison and the quartet testify in bluesy moans that Jesus will fix it. And that’s all right, too.