Robinson readies for new album

Local blues singer Tad Robinson and his band entertained the crowd at Old Topper's Pub and Steakhouse Friday in his first local show in quite some time.

During the performance, Robinson and his bandmates introduced three new songs from his upcoming album.

Even thought it's finished, the 11-song album won't be released until February 2007.

"That's where mine fell," Robinson said of the tentative release date.

Of the 11 songs on the album, nine are originals while two are covers. Robinson and producers chose "Up and Down World," a song identified with Bobby Bland, and "Ain't That Lovin' You," by Johnny Taylor as the covers on the album.

"Those were the tunes that were presented," Robinson said of the cover choices.

He added playing "Ain't That Lovin' You" was exciting.

"It's a real soul ballad," he said, "that we put our stamp on."

The album was produced by David Earl, president and owner of Severn Records, Robinson's label.

This is his second release with Severn.

"Did You Ever Wonder?" was released in 2004 and Robinson earned two nominations for the 26th annual W.C. Handy Awards as a result of the album, one for best Soul/Blues Album of the Year and the other for best Soul/Blues Vocalist of the Year.

In addition, Robinson recorded "One to Infinity" in 1994 and "Last Go Round" in 1998.

Robinson traveled to Severn, Md., to record the new album at the label's studio.

Recording there allowed Robinson to write while in the studio.

"We were not under any time constraint," he said. "We were very relaxed. We kind of wrote it on the fly."

He said the new album will feature strings on four songs and horns on all, something he hasn't worked with much in the past.

"It's quite an elaborate production," Robinson said.

Robinson wrote the originals with teams of writers, another first for the blues musician.

"That was kind of a new experiment," he said. "I enjoyed it."

Included as a lyricist on the album is John Dean, long-time collaborator with Robinson and Greencastle resident.

Some of the originals on the album include "Long Way Home," "You Get to Keep The Love," He's Moving in to Her Life," "2 of a Kind Blues," "When You're Ready," "Back for More," and "Love Is Everything."

Robinson said the album took one week to record in April and was mixed in May.

He said the new album is a step forward in his musical career.

"I think this is the best record we've done so far," he said. "The writing is better. The musicianship is stellar. It's a nice blend of blues and soul.

"I'm pretty excited about it. This record is a step forward."

However, a musician never ceases to drop the pen, and including Robinson, who said he has continued writing.

"The process is going on," he said.