Robert Finley - Black Bayou Review

Talkin' the Blues returns to its roots! On 10/27/23, Soul Blues artist Robert Finley released the 4th studio album of his career! "Black Bayou" was quick to receive positive reviews from critics, and in this article, I'll be doing my own review of every track! Here are my thoughts on "Black Bayou":

Livin' Out A Suitcase - The opening track of "Black Bayou" is a great funky tune that talks about Robert Finley's experience touring and the people he meets when he's across the country, or even the world! It's a really cool song with a meaning that is obviously very personal to Finley!

Sneakin' Around - Released as the 2nd single for the album, "Sneakin' Around" is an upbeat song with a sound very similar to Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats! The song itself is about a woman who doesn't stay true to Robert, and instead goes off with pretty much every other man in the town. There is a slight bit of humor, which makes it a fun and catchy track!

Miss Kitty - This song has an almost haunting sound, but with a very bluesy vibe! The organ and saxophone are what make the track have such a cool but almost dark sound! A really good track overall!

Waste of Time - This particular song can almost be compared to Freddie King's "Going Down" (when it comes to sound), but with a more Swamp Blues vibe! This is likely one of the best songs on the album! It has a fun sound that you clap, sing, and dance to! 

Can't Blame Me for Trying - This song talks about Finley's experience with a girl that he'd known for a long time, and how unfair she treated him. In the song, Finley states "Lovin' you ain't no crime, but if you don't want me to, you can't blame me for trying!" This is a great song that shows Finley's frustrating situations with relationships! Likely another personal message!

Gospel Blues - In "Gospel Blues", Finley tells us how he looks forward to making it to heaven, but also how he struggles with trying to make it there in the first place! This track has some of Finley's most heartfelt and personal lyrics of the entire album! However, most of the songs are likely from real experiences Finley has had!

Nobody Wants to Be Lonely - Probably one of the more soulful songs on this album, and also the 4th and final single, "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely" is a song about love and how everyone needs it! It's a great message, and a great song too! 

What Goes Around (Comes Around) - The first single from this album, "What Goes Around (Comes Around)", is in my opinion definitive of Finley's style and musical career! It's fun, catchy, bluesy, and soulful all at the same time! Not only is it a good song,  but it is also what got me very excited for this album!

Lucky Day - "Lucky Day" is probably the happiest song on the whole album! In the track, Finley tells a story of how he met his true love for the first time! It is a very positive song that reflects on a very happy time for Finley!

You Got It (And I Need It)- This is probably my favorite song on the entire album! Released as the 3rd single for "Black Bayou", it is a very soulful tune, with some unique instruments involved! In this track, Finley shows off his talented singing, even at 69 years of age! I find it very cool that he manages to make his music as fun as if he is still young!

Alligator Bait - The final track of "Black Bayou" tells us of a time when Finley was a young boy and was literally down in the bayou with his grandfather! There is a lot of humor in the track, and Finley is basically telling a story throughout all 6+ minutes of the song! Finley's talking actually keeps you engaged for the entire track! It's an amazing way to end the album!

Overall, I think this was a fantastic album by Robert Finley, and the fact that Black Keys' guitarist Dan Auerbach produced the album makes it all the more better! I give the album a rating of 4.5/5. I think it is a really well made Soul Blues album, that makes you feel like you are truly in the swamps of Louisiana! Arguably one of the best blues albums of the year! - Elliott Dudoit