GARY U.S. BONDS
Back in 20
M.C. Records
· This arty blues-rock singer’s second comeback comes 20 years after his first 20-year comeback. Witness him in action September 10 and 11 at the Silver Dollar Action Centre.
Let’s face it – rock ’n’ roll has always been a bit of a numbers game and those numbers keep getting higher and higher. Gary U.S. Bonds may well be the only artist in rock history to have staged two separate comebacks – both two decades apart. As on his 1981 return to form, Dedication, he gets help from The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, as well as former Allman Brothers guitarist Dickey Betts and jazz-pop great Phoebe Snow.
With its lead guitar intro, soon partnered with thumping drums, album opener "Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks" sets the theme and tone for the entire album. Southside Johnny blows the harp, Springsteen sings backups and it all sounds, pretty much, exactly as you’d imagine it would. Bond’s raw, resilient voice belies his 65 years and he belts it out with a vitality that would shame most 50-year-olds. It’s now a family affair with wife and daughter, both named Laurie Anderson (No, not that Laurie Anderson!) contributing to the writing and backups. There are also respectable covers of Otis Redding, Keb' Mo' and Delbert McClinton.
Bond claims to still have another 30 to 40 years left in him. Who knows, maybe in 20 years, an 85-year-old Bonds will defy the odds and do it again. One can’t help wondering if, in 2024, a 75-years-young Springsteen will still be up to the task of lending his support.
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