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“Get Way Back: A Tribute To Percy Mayfield” Amos Garrett (Stony Plain) *****

Garrett’s new CD, just out since April 15th and a collection of songs by one of America’s great songwriters, is a sublime affair and a pure joy to listen to.

You might not recognize the name but dollars to donuts says you know some of his songs; “Hit The Road Jack” and “Please Send Me Somebody To Love” to name a couple. Amos digs deeper, going past the hits and further into Mayfield’s catalogue- as with any artist really, that’s where you usually find the good stuff. “Despite the dark nature of his songs, they maintained a high level of dignity and beauty” notes Garrett in the booklet, “never weak or maudlin in any sense. This album is a tribute to Percy Mayfield and to the triumph of survival itself, sometimes that’s as good as it’s going to get.”

I’ve enjoyed Amos Garrett’s work for years, his deep but playful baritone voice always welcome company. Known too as a gifted guitarist, Garrett’s fans have included Chet Atkins, Mark Knopfler and Richard Thompson. Amos has been interpreting Mayfield’s work since the early 70’s when he played along side folks like Paul Butterfield and Maria Muldaur. Never really a pyrotechnician, Amos Garrett’s playing style is smooth, understated and (dare I say it) mellow, each chord and note steeped in blues history.

I confess that I’m not particularly well schooled in the songs of Percy Mayfield outside of the examples noted above but the music of this so-called “poet laureate of the blues”, enveloped in the capable talents of Amos Garrett, is simply gorgeous. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him put another Juno award on his trophy shelf with “Get Way Back”.

Key Cuts: “To Claim It’s Love”, “Stranger In My Own Hometown”, “Lost Mind”