Bobby Charles

Louisiana songwriter Bobby Charles had penned hits for the likes of Bill Haley and Fats Domino in the ’50s and early ’60s, but by the end of the decade had drifted away from music. Hooking up with The Band’s Rick Danko for his 1972 solo debut was one of the few wise career moves Charles made as Danko (plus his bandmates and Charles’ spiritual soul brother Dr John) provide a warm muddy bed for the swampy southern soul here. Bum anthem “Street People” sets the tone perfectly for Charles’ amiable wastrel songwriting persona. On “Long Face” he comes across like a sozzled Randy Newman, while in the hands of more fortunate rockers Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Save Me Jesus” could have been massive. A laid-back haze hangs over everything, but as on the deceptively gentle “Small Town Talk,” Charles shows that it takes real talent and work to sound this effortless.