Richard Gibbs "No Use to Grieve" (Malinda 101)
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”
21 Comments
Thanks for the clips. Great stuff.
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.
this is great, thanks for sharing
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!!
hey grandpa..
i love you soo much.its amazing to see people support your music.even tho your older you still can carry a tune.think for being an awsome family member.you mean alot to me.and me life would not be the same without you!.taylor says she loves you tooo…well its time for me to head on to bed.
forever,
alex gibbs~
hey i love you!!!
Here’s a copy for sale- https://www.ebay.com/itm/231997669606
Hey everyone! I’m Caitlin, I’m part of a small record label out of Austin, TX called Entheo Sound Records. We found a copy of this in very good condition in the French Market Antique Mall in Lake Charles, where I’m originally from, and think it’s AMAZING. Seeing these comments here from Richard Gibbs’ family warms my heart, showing that his life must have gotten better after this recording.
I wish there were some more direct way to get in touch with him or his family, but to the man who commented on Feb 1. 2008 – our record label would love to discuss perhaps repressing this album to get it out there – the musicianship is incredible and iconic. I’d also love to do an interview with him or anyone interested. I hope we can get connected! At the very least, we’re going to rip it to USB so we can at least share some of these great tracks, but we’d love to get Richard’s blessing.
Best wishes to everyone!
Caitlin
please email me with any information on tracking down Richard Gibbs or his successors so that we can get this out to some ears! Caitlin@entheosoundrecords.com or caitlinrichardphd@gmail.com
Hello everyone!
My name is Caitlin Richard and I co-own Entheo Sound Records. I’m from Lake Charles and I found a copy of Richard Gibbs’ “No Use To Grieve” on vinyl in a flea market about a year ago. I’ve been trying to track y’all down! Our label is both interested and would be honored to discuss with Richard or his family the repressing of this album. We think it is an absolute lost gem, and I think it’s wonderful that it came from my home town.. it is also amazing to see that despite these heart-wrenching songs that his loving family is praising him here above. We’d love to give it whatever exposure we can and share with people this awesome music. I hope that if any family, or any friends, have any leads that you would please contact us at caitlin@entheosoundrecords.com!