Blind Lemon Pledge

Blind Lemon Pledge
Oh So Good

OFEH Records
Publicity: Blind Raccoon
By Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © April 2024

Although it ever happening is a long shot, should you ever run into Blind Lemon Pledge while he’s with his parents, I don’t suggest you greet them as Mr. & Mrs. Pledge. Instead, the proper way to address them would be with Mr. & Mrs. Byfield, the proud parents of a highly creative character whose real name is James Byfield.

A few years ago, when I reviewed his Goin’ Home CD, I commented on the fact that being his eighth release in twelve years, Blind Lemon was impressively releasing new and mostly original music every year-and-a-half. Now, just like clockwork, here he is with Oh So Good – his tenth release in fifteen years.

On Oh So Good, the band is an acoustic trio featuring Blind Lemon Pledge on vocals and guitar; Peter Grenell on bass; and Juli Moscovitz on drums. The recording contains eleven James Byfield originals and a cover of “House Of The Risin’ Sun”.

The disc opens with a track titled “Big Bill”. Just to give you an idea of the kind of character Bill is, think slaves workin’ a field of cotton; chain gangs workin’ along southern highways; or any similar situation where the crews refer to someone as “boss man”. That said, the song is actually about the boss man’s daughter, Adeline… as is don’t even think about looking at Adeline any longer than a blink. Blind Lemon’s vocal’s will attest that he has no plans of ever doing so and his acoustic slide guitar work is killer – as in what Big Bill will become if he does.

The title track – “Oh So Good” – in typical Blind Lemon style is a love song of sorts. Admitting to having been a player over most of his life, he has a unique way of claiming he’s a changed man. His preferred way of professing his loyalty includes saying things like “I’ve been being “Oh So Good”, better than I thought I would. I’ve been being “Oh So Good” since I got it bad for you”. The fabulous guitar and rhythm work are a mixed bag of bluegrass, honky-tonk, folk, and more, making a song for just about anyone to want to dance to.

So, my favorite combination of a slow blues song being the longest track on the disc takes place on a track titled “How Can I Still Love You?” With powerfully melancholic lyrics like “How can I still miss you when all you’ve ever been is gone?”; “How do I want to kiss you when all you’ve ever been is wrong?”; “How do I still be faithful when nothin’ that you say is true?”; “How do I still see roses when all I ever get is blue?”; and “How can I still go on dreamin’ when you drove Mr. Sandman out?”; that are sung with amazingly deep emotion; you just can’t not share Blind Lemon’s pain. Musically, Peter and Juli are in that perfect sullen rhythm groove while Lemon plays some of the best acoustic blues on the disc. Yep, I’m saying it… “Song Of The Year” material right here.

More often than I personally care for, during an acoustic show at a club, the audiences tends to be more involved with their mouths instead of their ears. On the other hand, there are those compelling performances that will make those yakking jaws drop to a point of being able to hear a pin drop. This offering of “Moon Over Memphis” is that performance.

Too bad this song wasn’t written and released back in the American Bandstand era, because I would have loved to see a bunch of teenagers doing the “Jump The Willie”… I think! On the other hand, no matter where it’s played or the demographic it’s being played for, at Blind Lemon Pledge live shows, this has to be a dance floor filler.

“Give My Poor Heart Ease” finds James making a heartfelt offering to the Lord. It’s pretty much a conversation that might be heard in a confessional, solemnly being put to music. Based on sincerity alone, I can hear the priest saying “Say an ‘Act of Contrition’ and two ‘Hail Marys’ and the Lord will forgive you”.

The disc closes with what could possibly be one of the most covered songs in the history of music – “The House Of the Risin’ Sun” (Traditional). Considering it’s an acoustic rendition, I’m quite impressed with its aggressive presentation. Some of the disc’s best instrumentation is definitely happening right here.

Other tracks on what might be Blind Lemon Pledge’s best release to date are: “Junkyard Dog”; “Hard Heart Honey Bee”; “Ma Belle Cherie”; “Cora Lee”; and “Come Back Little Sheba”. 

Should you like to find out more about Blind Lemon Pledge, just go to – www.blindlemon-pledge.com.
Remember, wherever you go and whomever you speak with, please tell them their friend the Blewzzman sent you.

“The Blues Is My Passion And Therapy”