Sparky Rucker – Cold & Lonesome On A Train

This is a really solid set of mid-late 70s folk/country/blues. Everything is well played & Rucker has a great singing voice. Variations in instrumentation keep things fresh throughout (harmonica, banjo, fiddle etc) & Rucker is adept & convincing over all the material. Of the thirteen tracks here four of them are from the Robert Johnson songbook but there are also traditional folk songs, a Fred McDowell & three strong originals from Rucker. The more I listen to this LP, which is one of his first I think, the more it grows on me. Admittedly I am a bit of a fan of the styles contained within but I was definitely pleasantly surprised when I recently bought it & gave it a listen. Sparky Rucker is still out there playing & releasing albums sparkyandrhonda.com & I have to say that I really reccommend this album.

Sparky Rucker – Crossroads