I'm the Man (Sherman Robertson album)

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I'm the Man
I'm the Man (Sherman Robertson album).jpg
Studio album by
Sherman Robertson
Released1994
RecordedFebruary 1993
Studio Chipping Norton
Genre Blues, soul
Label Code Blue/Atlantic
Producer Mike Vernon
Sherman Robertson chronology
I'm the Man
(1994)		Here & Now
(1996)

I'm the Man is the debut album by the American musician Sherman Robertson, released in 1994. [1] [2] It was initially released by Indigo Recordings, in 1993. [3] Robertson supported the album with European and North American tours. [4] [5]

Contents

Production

Recorded at Chipping Norton Recording Studios in February 1993, the album was produced by Mike Vernon, and was the first release on his Code Blue imprint. [6] [7] Robertson later stated that he did not care for the production. [8] Robertson had previously spent time playing guitar in the bands of Clifton Chenier, Rockin' Dopsie, and Terrance Simien, but missed playing blues. [9] It was important to Robertson that the lyrics to some of his songs concern more carefree and upbeat themes. [10] "Am I Losing You?" is a cover of the Cate Brothers song. [11]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Chicago Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [13]

The Edmonton Journal wrote that "the double-time pulse of his music owes more to Louisiana shuffles than the 1-4-5 progression of Chicago blues." [3] The Chicago Tribune noted that, "instead of utilizing Gulf Coast grooves, Vernon furnishes his charge with pop-slanted material reminiscent of Robert Cray's crossover strategy that adeptly showcases Robertson's soulful vocals." [13] The Guardian determined that Robertson "has a pleasant, easy vocal style and he's a technically accomplished guitarist, but there's no real soul or depth to his work, proficient as he may be." [14]

The Times opined that I'm the Man falls "rather too neatly into the upmarket, blues-with-soul niche carved to such endlessly resounding effect by Robert Cray." [15] The St. Petersburg Times advised: "Imagine Albert King doing Albert Collins, and you're in the ballpark." [16] The Sun-Sentinel concluded that, "both mellow and blistering, Robertson can sing a blue streak to match his fluid, rhythmic playing." [17]

AllMusic wrote that "I'm the Man is a fine album of electric blues and bluesy soul that underscores the singer/guitarist's Houston, TX, upbringing." [12]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."I'm Your Man" 
2."Somebody's Messin'" 
3."Am I Losing You?" 
4."Special Kind of Loving" 
5."Make It Rain" 
6."Out of Sight Out of Mind" 
7."Linda Lou" 
8."Home of the Blues" 
9."Our Good Thing Is Through" 
10."Vacating the Blues" 
11."Helping Hand" 
12."Take a Message" 

References

  1. ↑ "Sherman Robertson Biography by Richard Skelly". AllMusic. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  2. ↑ Herzhaft, Gerard (1997). Encyclopedia of the Blues. University of Arkansas Press. p. 175.
  3. 1 2 Levesque, Roger (March 28, 1994). "How about a little lutex? Bluesman serves up own special musical cocktail". Edmonton Journal. p. B7.
  4. ↑ Barber, Austin (June 3, 1993). "Blues master is surely the man". Birmingham Post. p. 10.
  5. ↑ Weatherford, Mike (February 24, 1995). "Sherman Robertson". Las Vegas Review-Journal. p. 2E.
  6. ↑ "Tank top Sherman". Herald News. Surrey. June 3, 1993. p. 29.
  7. ↑ Morris, Chris (October 8, 1994). "Atlantic to market, distribute British blues label Code Blue". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 41. p. 12.
  8. ↑ The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin. 2006. p. 547.
  9. ↑ Aiges, Scott (March 17, 1995). "Blues Creeps Back to Front of Zydeco Ace's Passions". The Times-Picayune. p. L9.
  10. ↑ "Touch of the blues". Manchester Evening News. May 31, 1993. p. 6.
  11. ↑ Wise, Brian (August 7, 1994). "R.P.M.". Agenda. The Age. p. 7.
  12. 1 2 "I'm the Man Review by Alex Henderson". AllMusic. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  13. 1 2 Dahl, Bill (January 26, 1995). "Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 8.
  14. ↑ Denselow, Robin (June 24, 1994). "Blues". Features. The Guardian.
  15. ↑ Sinclair, David (July 15, 1994). "New Albums". Features. The Times.
  16. ↑ Green, Tony (June 2, 1995). "Sherman Robertson". Weekend. St. Petersburg Times. p. 18.
  17. ↑ Schulman, Sandra (June 18, 1995). "Robertson Is on His Own". Sun-Sentinel. p. 3F.
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