Richard Gibbs “No Use to Grieve” (Malinda 101)
Posted on November 1, 2007 by HawthorneWingo
Louisiana is a unique place. Only the backwoods of Mississippi, Alabama and South Texas can come close to the vibe that emanates from places like Alexandria, Crowley, Lake Chales and all the surrounding backwater towns. Dark back roads lined with run down bars and roadhouses where people work hard and drink harder. In Nashville they cried in their beer, in Richard Gibbs world it was blood that filled their shot glasses. In the early 60's, long before there was loner/loser folk, Richard wrote of loneliness, booze and a need to escape a life of despair. Gibbs voice is half bayou/half barroom as he tells stories like "Drinkin' Spree", "Empty Glass", Too Busy Hurtin'" and "Ten Bottles Of Whiskey". But it's the title track that exposes the raw nerves of our storyteller's psyche~ as he treats his immortality like a plastic cup from "Nickel Beer Night". Richard is a drunk, bruised, sad sack of a character who stumbles home after lamenting his love-life and losing at fisticuffs. I don't know of any LP that captures the depths of emotion and feeling of gloom that "No Use To Grieve" exudes. Even amongst the hardest core Country collectors this LP is unknown. I've had 2 copies and gave one to a good friend who also holds it in the same esteem that I do. To my knowledge Richard never did much else, but this tribute to grief and sorrow is quite a monument to misery……and I love it.
Listen: "No Use to Grieve", "Drinkin' Spree", "10 Bottles of Whiskey"
Filed under: Country / Blues
16 Comments to “Richard Gibbs “No Use to Grieve” (Malinda 101)”
Nice review, it set the stage well
this is very very rad
I believe your first review is a winner!
Well done.
This sounds awesomely hopeless and lonely, and I love the simplicity of the music and production.
This is haunted, wracked and soulful stuff.
Marvellous stuff.
Thank you so much for posting this up.
Great review H
This is my father. i was just stumbling around on the computer and found your blog. i grew up listening to drinking spree and to let you know richard lives here in Nashville, TN.
HAY RICHARD
THIS IS YOUR GRANDCHILD KATIE HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY!!!!! LOVE LOVE KISS KISS!!!!!
Richard,
Please let your dad know that there are people out here that really dig his music. It’s one of my all-time favorite country LP’s and it’s time he got some recognition.
HAY THIS IS HIS GRANDCHILD AND I THANK IS IS SO COOL DONT YOU! LOVE YOUR BEST GRANDCHILD KATIE ELIZABETH GIBBS! GIBBS ROCKS!!!
hay papaal this is alex ur grandaughter =)i think that it so kool that ur on the internet i’ll probuble see u to night. anywas got to go get homework =(
LOVE UR FAVIROTE GRANDUGHTER,
ALEXANDRIA GIBBS (A.K.A ALEX)
HAY LOVE YOU LOVE KATIE
If anyone has an extra copy of this, I’m interested in buying one. Please drop me a line: hobbes@wcvt.com
Thanks, Jack
I am seriously enjoying these tracks. Also think that it is excellent to see a family connecting through this site. Wish there was easier access to the rest of this material. thanks for posting these
Hay whats up granps it Kt and i love u alot Mason is with me and she said i love you, love KKAATTIIEE!!
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Thanks for the clips. Great stuff.