TAD ROBINSON (USA)
“When Tad Robinson dies, he´s going to soul heaven…a place reserved for a very few people.” – Otis Clay
“Robinson places near the top of the list of the finest living singes of soul blues. His Upward-bound voice is of a genuinely handsome quality and he uses it with confidence.”
Frank-John Hadley, DOWNBEAT
“Robinson sings with a range and smoothness of delivery that are exquisitely evocative.” –Mojo Magazine
“Robinson’s lyrics go for the soul, and his old-school balladry is lovely and lush…a soulfulness plucked out of the anywhere airwaves of decades past.” – Living Blues Magazine
Severn Records recording artist, Tad Robinson, is one of the leading voices of modern soul-blues music. From his NYC roots and his Indiana and Chicago musical upbringing, Tad has caught the attention of the scene with his 10 Blues Music Award nominations (the Grammys of blues music) and his recordings for the Severn label as well as his earlier work on Delmark Records. He tours widely in the U.S. and has played in over 20 countries worldwide with performances at some of the most important international blues festivals. With harmonica chops inspired by Junior Wells and Junior Parker and a voice that compares to Otis Redding, Syl Johnson, Al Green, and Teddy Pendergrass, Tad ranks as one of the most unique and talented members of the international blues and soul communities. After being recruited by guitarist Dave Specter to join his Chicago band in the 1990s and record the studio album, Blueplicity as well as a “live-in-Europe” release, Tad has gone on to collaborate with some of the highest profile musicians in the genre. In 2004, Robinson was signed to a record deal with Maryland-based soul/blues focussed, Severn Records, a turning point in his career which moved him further into the blues spotlight. His last five album releases for Severn have featured backing by the great Severn house band of Steve Gomes, Robb Stupka, Kevin Anker and Benjie Porecki, and horn and string arrangements by the legendary producer-arranger Willie Henderson.
The Severn output has also included guest appearances by the Memphis Horns, Otis Clay, Anson Funderburgh, Johnny Moeller, Alex Schultz, Devin B. Thompson, and the Hi Rhythm Section. For his most recent album, Real Street, Robinson traveled to the birthplace of Southern soul, Memphis, Tennessee, and the results are ten blues-infused tracks of passionate soul music. Joined on Real Street by the Hi Rhythm section Tad’s vocals and harmonica weave seamlessly through tracks which evoke the days of soul giants O.V. Wright and Syl Johnson, both of whom enjoyed some of their best remembered recordings working with Hi Rhythm. His ability to “soul-ify” such pop songs as, You Got It, and, Make It with You, recall Green’s version of, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, and, I Want To Hold Your Hand. “The Hi Rhythm guys, Howard Grimes, Charles Hodges and Leroy Hodges brought such wisdom, grace and solidarity to my session.” Tad Robinson says. “I couldn’t have asked for a better vibe in terms of how we all approached playing together. I’m forever grateful.”
Latest Release : “Real Street” – Severn Records 2020
