Blackie and The Rodeo Kings
Let's Frolic
True North Records - 430
visit the band's website
available on Amazon
This Canadian band is billed as a triumvirate of Stephen Fearing, Linden, and Tom Wilson, though a number of the players appear on all three of the discs, what these 3 share is a love of Willie P. Bennett’s songs. These three musicians from three different genres of music, folkie Fearing, blues musician and in-demand guitarist Linden, and rocker Wilson, discovered this shared affection back in 1996 and when their paths kept crossing they decided to make a disc, to celebrate what his music his music meant to them. As unlikely a grouping as it may seem, it does work, and works very well. The 14 songs are written by various combinations of the group and an assortment of others some of who play on the disc such as Daniel Lanois.
As you can imagine the songs reflect the inclinations and leanings of the writers. The band is fleshed out with long time collaborators; Gary Craig on drums and percussion, John Diamond on bass, Richard Bell on various keyboards, and John Whynot on piano and organ (he also recorded and mixed many of the tracks). Various guest artists here help the songs along such as the previously mentioned special guests such as Daniel Lanois on pedal steel and Pam Tillis on harmony vocals.