Robert Finley (from the album Hallelujah! Don’t Let the Devil Fool Ya

Robert Finley (from the album Hallelujah! Don’t Let the Devil Fool Ya

​Robert Finley (from the album Hallelujah! Don’t Let the Devil Fool Ya available on Easy Eye Sound/Concord) (by Bryant Liggett)
Trust The Black Keys Dan Auerbach taste in music. It will lead you to good things, in this case the music of Robert Finley. Finley is a military vet and blue-collar tradesman. Busking led to his current career (and Auerbach) and his latest in Hallelujah! Don’t Let the Devil Fool Ya is an Dan Auerbach-produced blast of raw Gospel Blues; the album an audible ace in its grit, gospel, and groove.

It’s cool out of the gate. “I Wanna Thank You” is laid back and loose, a dreamy album opener that drifts into the loungey “Praise Him” and the ambient “Holy Ghost Party”, which 90-seconds in life picks up groove and Psychedelic steam. All three tracks find Robert Finley, backed by daughter Christy Johnson offering up call and response backing. “Helping Hand” is drenched in reverb while “Can’t Take My Joy” drifts into North Mississippi Hill Country Blues territory, its riff offering up mesmerizing trance grooves with loose but sharp guitar and punchy keys. Album closer, “I Am A Witness”, is a cool and soulful ballad. 

Dan Auerbach’s full time gig likely turned some Indie Rockers on to the Blues, and his discovery and promotion of Robert Finley continues that education. Hallelujah! Don’t Let the Devil Fool Ya is a worthy study, a record of cool Gospel grooves with Funkadelic leanings that will open some music doors while turning you onto Robert Finley’s own musical preachings. (by Bryant Liggett)

Listen and buy the music of Robert Finley from AMAZON
Please go to the Robert Finley website for more purchase and artist information