Review: 'Sharecropper's Son' by Robert Finley

Robert Finley

By Chris Wheatley

2021 looks set to continue as a great year for roots music, with another special release coming in the shape of Sharecropper’s Son, by Soul singer-songwriter and guitarist Robert Finley set to release May 21, 2021. Produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, who deserves much credit for bringing Finley and other under-recognised artists back to the forefront, Sharecropper’s Son is the latest in a remarkable run of albums from Finley, who has spent much of his life away from the professional ranks. Blues/soul players don’t come any more authentic. Finley, who picked up his first guitar aged eleven, spent time in the military as a bandleader during the 70s, then worked as a part-time street-entertainer and carpenter. Declared legally blind, the wonderful Music Maker Relief Foundation came to Finley’s aid, helping him back into the paid ranks, which led to a fine debut album in 2016.

Sharecropper’s Son was recorded at Easy Eye Sound (Dan Auerbach’s label) with an all-star band who tracked blues, soul, gospel, and rock-infused chapters of Finley’s remarkable life. The album perfectly frames the 67-year-old America’s Got Talent semi-finalist life story, weaving Finley’s personal tales of picking cotton, country childhood, hardship on city streets, jail time, the pain and joy of love, the search for a better life and the dream of salvation into a spellbinding musical tale.

With Auerbach at the helm, it’s no surprise that this is a slick, superbly-produced album. Opening number “Souled Out On You,” is a wonder. Tight-rope walking between earthy blues and smooth soul, the track burns from first to last, with nuanced changes of mood and deep slabs of sound. Finley’s voice cries with genuine passion. High-pitched and assured, his vocals, like his music, combine elements of gritty blues and romantic soul. He is also a fine guitarist, with an all-too-short solo ably proving that point.

“Make Me Feel Alright,” takes us into blues-rock territory, with thudding bass, hand-clap percussion, fuzzed up twin-guitars and rolling tom-toms. Auerbach brings both depth and width to the arrangement, with stirring vocal harmonies echoing Finley’s early gospel roots. Finley himself is clearly having a ball, easing into the groove and leading from the front. There’s also some smoking slide-guitar here, which runs like quicksilver over rumbling horns. You’ll hear shades of classic Rolling Stones here; lush production which nonetheless retains its authenticity and power, and that is no bad thing at all.

The title track simmers nicely with vamping guitar, swirling harmonica and singing organs. There’s plenty of muscle on display, but Finley brings an honesty and an openness to match. His keening vocals and earnest delivery remain the light at the centre of a dense storm. It would be wonderful, in fact, to hear Finley in a more stripped-back environment, but there is so much exceptional music here that it seems greedy to ask for more. Auerbach does a fine job of balancing the many elements while always keeping the star at the forefront. “Starting To See You,” a first-class soul number, is a standout. Bringing to mind everything from Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye to Barry White and the Jackson Five, it’s a danceable, sing-along hit, with plenty of heart.

The more restrained “Country Boy” showcases Finley’s versatility as a performer. Broiling up a gentle whirl of dust, we get a few fine bars of propulsive 70s-style easy funk before Finley leaps in with some beautiful vocals. His voice really is extraordinary, slick and piercing, arresting and passionate. The more you listen, the more special he gets. The easy-rolling, country-tinged “All My Hope” takes us out, with gospel chords and spiritual lyrics. Shuffling, rattling percussion, subtle harmonies and slide-guitar flow together like a wide, muddy and sunlit river.

Sharecropper’s Son is a lovingly-crafted album by a singular talent, and a wonderful slice of roots history. We can only hope Finley shares more of his remarkable music in the years to come.

Watch “Country Boy”