“Back of the line” is the new album from Robin Auld. His first release for 3 years, it is the 9th release on his own Free Lunch Productions. Blues, roots and folk influences, underpinned by Robin’s singer/songwriter ethos, make for an eclectic and contemporary album that places Auld at the top of his game.
“Back of the line”, the first single, has Robin wondering if his time is up by means of a visit from a shark. Modern issues of faith and religion are addressed in “Caleb’s calling” and “The old book”, the traditional live staple of “Corrinna” is given a fresh treatment and the blues sentiment of “Save a little something” is given a haunting pop treatment as is the Bee Gee’s song “Holiday”. The melancholy but warm sound of “Red Ground” gives a take on the life of Mary Livingstone, and the album ends on the optimistic and upbeat note of “Say the word.”
Recorded over the first half of 2014, the twelve tracks feature Roger Bashew on bass and Paul Tizzard on drums. The rhythm tracks were laid down in Hout Bay at Roger’s Turkeyberry studios, with further tracking and mixing at Robin’s home studio in Kalk Bay. Tom Fox of Bright Blue fame, out for a visit from New Zealand, laid down some guitar tracks on “Say the word” and “Bones never lie”, while Ronan Skillen provided tabla, udu and other various percussion elements. The album will be available on download from iTunes from November, and on CD via mail order from www.robinauld.co.za from the 17th October.
