Gerry Spehar's career has had a renaissance recently with a string lyrically potent album releases. To capitalise this exposure and in turn help out an old mate, a decision was made to shine a light on a past life where he teamed up with fellow troubadour Bobby Allison to roam the land plying their music in any accepting place. DELTA MAN is retrospective collection of songs the pair largely crafted in the 80s and 90s.
Fifteen tracks have been selected to form this collection which tucks in just under the hour mark. The music comes across as of its time, a likely selling point to folks tuned in to this era and its lineage from the formative days of troubadour songwriting to those practising the art today. Alongside the troubadour origins of the pair, they also know how to rock 'n' roll with the best of them and this album dances freely along the spectrum of American roots music.
Notes from the album update the current plight of Allison and perhaps those acquainted with him can use this record to reflect on better days. Of course releasing an album many years on from the songs first surfacing does have an aim of finding new audiences. The acute authenticity and accomplished status of this collection aids to the campaign of bringing new ears to this music. Such ears and devoted listening space will be amply rewarded by the unabated quality.
Of course similarities can likely be sourced within existing artist collections, but sometimes it can be refreshing to align a sound with a couple of fresh faces and names maybe new to you. Fresh to the extent of the two bright things radiating their smiles from the cover to nail the retro air. Take these smiles and the fine music they deliver to conclude that life ain't so bad.