When you look at the album cover, you wouldn’t know the history. The grizzled old Hudson lives a somewhat spartan musical existence. He tours with his dog Alvin from small venue to small venue. He makes some of the best country Mississippi blues tunes slide off his old guitar. He’s not above the dirty side either. It’s his fearlessness that really sets Hudson apart, even as his audience ages with him. It’s been three years since “Bittersweet Blues†and that’s tough on the faithful fans.
There is a reason Hudson’s Guitar chops have been routinely recognized Gibson ranked him as the number five alt-country guitarist of all time. He slides, fingerpicks and strums with equal skill. This record combines the bluesy bottleneck style with the precise fingerpicking. “That Old Magnolia Magic†layers the two together and Cary sings a tune like a true storyteller. “Skinnydippin’†and “Queen of the Blues†each have their own take on the blues.
The simple melody is something Cary has always sung so well. “Happy Place†is a prime example. “My happy place / Is wherever you are†is sung in such a soft croon with the harmonies so delicately behind it. Hudson’s softer side really shines through on this tune. “Gimmee A Hug†is a similarly delicate tune. It signals a bit of a softer side. The lyrics match by showing a different level of comfort. Perhaps his 2009 marriage has changed his mindset.
He ends the set with a spoken word story called “The Shadow.†While the words are certainly precise and easy to follow, it makes me miss Cary’s singing voice.
Hudson’s rocking days from Blue Mountain have certainly been left behind on tape, but he’s managed to demonstrate that his songs can stand on their own merits with only his voice and a guitar to prop him up.
Photo by Suzanne Davis
About the author: Jeff is a teacher in the Boston area. When not buried correcting papers, Jeff can be found plucking various stringed instruments and listening to all types of americana music.