Mike Guldin and Rollin’ & Tumblin’
The Franklin Sessions
Blue Heart Records
Release Date: June 16, 2023
Publicity: Blind Raccoon
Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © June 2023
I’ve got to admit that immediately upon seeing this album’s title – The Franklin Sessions – my interest immediately peaked. Could this be that Franklin it’s referring to and would there be some of the best damn musicians from the Nashville area on it? The answer was a big yes, and I’ll let Mike Guldin explain:
“The Franklin Sessions were born out of the desire to get back to a more organic approach in recording. I really wanted to cut as much of this album live in the studio as possible with minimal overdubs. All of the rhythm tracks included here were cut from one take live. My first call was to Kevin McKendree. I headed to his Rock House Studio in Franklin, TN on December 7, 2021. Kevin put a great band together for the sessions and we cut 4 tracks. I was so pleased with the sound, the vibe and Kevin’s guidance at the recording desk I brought my Rollin’ & Tumblin’ bandmates back down to The Rock House on August 30 & 31, 2022 and recorded 9 tracks over two days. 11 of those tracks are featured here.”
For the project, Mike Guldin on guitar, vocals and tambourine; Bill Sharrow bass, guitar and tambourine; Tim Hooper on piano and organ, and Billy Wear on drums and tambourine; a.k.a. Rollin’ & Tumblin are joined by: Kevin McKendree on piano and organ; Yates McKendree on drums, guitar and lap steel; James Pennebaker on guitar; David Santos on bass; Mikey Junior on harp; Su Teears on duet and background vocals; The McCrary Sisters on background vocals; and The Philadelphia Funk Authority Horns made up of: Dale Gerheart on trombone; Kyle Hummel on baritone sax; Neil Wetzel on tenor sax; and Andrew Kowal on trumpet. As you already know, The Franklin Sessions contains eleven tracks and eight of those are originals.
The disc opens with an original straight up twelve bar shuffle appropriately titled “The Franklin Shuffle”, and the guys waste exactly zero time getting into quite the groove. It’s one of half a dozen tracks that feature the McKendree’s joining forces on various instruments, and this time it’s Kevin laying down the barrelhouse piano rolls and son Yates – whom you’ve probably been hearing a lot about lately – leading the pocket groove on the drums, while David Santos fills out the rest of the rhythm on bass. In front of all of this, besides sparring on smoking guitar leads with James Pennebaker – the go to sessions player in the greater Nashville area – the boss man is growling out about going down to Franklin lookin’ for a groove… which he indeed did find. Great opening track.
This original track is called “The Right Thing” but it’s the words that precede it that give it its clout; the full opening line states that “There is no wrong time to do the right thing”. Strong statement indeed! With Mike’s heartfelt vocals on this very inspirational track being backed up by the angelic voices of The McCrary Sisters (Ann/Regina/Alfreda), just take your seat in a pew and pay close attention to these wonderfully inspirational lyrics. Musically it features all of Rollin’ & Tumblin’ in a soulful groove with Kevin and Yates respectively adding to the hymnal effects on the organ and lap steel.
With it being the only track that features all three guitarists, and one of only two that features the horns, there’s a lot going on on the very soulful “Prisoner Of Love”, another Mike Guldin original. Guitar wise, James’ fabulous fills are nicely sandwiched between hot solos from Mike and Yates; rhythm wise, the Philadelphia Funk Authority, with a fabulous tenor solo from Neil, are taking things up a notch while adding some of that music style referenced in their name; and vocally, Mike is showcasing his versatility on this soulfully sung ballad.
Aside from Kevin joining in on piano, another of Mike’s originals, “Smokin Woman” features all of Rollin’ & Tumblin’ testifying as to why these guys have been band mates for approximately twenty-five years. Turn this shuffle up loud and let Mike’s rumblin’ & tumblin’ guitar leads, Tim’s smokin’ & tumblin’ organ highlights, and the thunderin’ and tumblin rhythm from Bill (bass) and Billy (drums), allow you to spend the next six-plus minutes with a smile on your face while your feet and fingers are tappin’ and tumblin’.
Sticking with the originals, there are a lot of disc’s bests happening right here on the clever and witty “Gettin’ Over You Is Workin’ Over Me”. Once again, it’s the ‘Rollers and the Tumblers’ hard at work, and with him having all of the guitar work to himself, Mike’s scorching leads are some of the best on the disc; with monster bass lines from Bill, it features some of the disc’s best rhythm; and Tim (piano) and Kevin (organ) are teaming up for some of the disc’s best keyboard work.
Admittedly, I have never been a big fan of this song. Yes, I really said that. However, I will also say that taking that into consideration, performing “Divin’ Duck Blues” (John Estes) and having me say nice things about it is truly a compliment. Some, but not all, of that has to do with Mikey Junior blowin’ the hell out of the harmonica. Even if the song was “Hava Nagila”, if it was the only song he played on, I’d write about it – he’s truly one of the best. Additionally, with Rollin’ and Tumblin’ rockin’ it out on rhythm and guitar, and Kevin wailing on the piano, there is nothing not to like about this rendition.
Other tracks on this outstanding release are: “Killin’ Floor” (Chester Burnett); “Blow Wind Blow” (McKinley Morganfield); and three more originals of Mike’s: “Sometimes You Gotta Roll The Dice”; “Two Hearts”; and “Sad And Lonely.”
Should like to find out more about Mike Guldin And Rollin’ & Tumblin’, just go to – www.mikeguldin.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”
Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com
2011 “Keeping The Blues Alive” Award Recipient
