By Cecil Davis - WNY Society

Robert Freightrain Parker Freightrain Live Recorded live at The Sportsmen’s Tavern in Buffalo, New York, this cd beautifully captures this wonderful Western New York artist. His backup band here includes Grace Lougen on , Greg Leech on organ, and Damone Jackson on drums. Guests include area faves Willie Haddath and Jony James on guitar, Jeremy Keyes on harmonica, Jim Bohm on trumpet, and Freightrain’s brother Ken Parker on sax. This release is a must have for all his fans which are many and growing in number.

Mr. Parker once toured with the outstanding bluesman Sherman Robertson and Rock Bottom, the late legendary harp blower from Florida. This disc kicks off instrumentally with a moving rendition of Robin Ford’s Cannonball Shuffle which has sweet solos from Leech and Lougen. Walter Jacobs fabulous Up The Line opens with a terrific bassline, then showcases Freightrain’s vocal prowess. The entire band gets to funk it up on Allen Toussaint’s tour de force Get Out Of My Life, Woman.

This very danceable CD also includes the classic Barefootin, by Freightrain’s namesake Little Bobby Parker. Great solos here from local harp phenom Jeremy Keyes, saxman Ken Parker and Grace Lougen extend the tune for those inclined to shake a leg. Long time club r&b favorite I Need Somebody by Jerry Walker and Little Milton Campbell retains its original soul strut. Four more tunes including the bonus studio track and closer Club 48 penned by Parker and Lougen make for an outstanding CD