Rich In Love
Colin Linden
Label: Stony Plain Records
Release Date: September 25, 2015
Review Date: September 20, 2015

“Rich In Love” is eight-time Juno Award-winning singer/guitarist Colin Linden’s latest CD – his first since his 2009 live “From The Water”. 

Produced, recorded and performed by Colin Linden (guitars, vocals, ukuleles and mandolins) and his band who are affectionately known as The Rotting Matadors: John Dymond on bass and Gary Craig on drums. Special guests include multiple Blues Music Award-winner and six-time Grammy nominee Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica, legendary keyboardist Reese Wynans (Stevie Ray Vaughan), Amy Helm (Levon Helm, Ollabelle) on harmony vocals and organist Tim Lauer (Rodney Crowell, Keb’ Mo’, Allison Moorer, Lady Antebellum).

Linden and the two members of his band have been playing together for over 25 years, and the incredibly smooth tightness amongst shows on this disc. Colin Linden’s singing is fresh, emotional and engaging. The songs transport the listener through lustful encounters, remorse-laden retrospectives and forlorn longing, while the music takes influences from blues, country rock and roots. And then there is the playing, where every guitar pluck, bass note, subtle drum sweep or organ solo from this consummate musician and his band adds to the stories. It is a truly captivating package, a polished roots diamond, a treasure to reflect on and restore the soul.

The 12 all-original songs on Rich in Love were written by Linden, solo or in tandem with other writers such as his wife, Janice Powers (a published novelist), band member John Dymond and Grammy winners Gary Nicholson and Tom Hambridge.

“Rich in Love” comes at a time when Colin Linden is a very much in-demand musician, having played on Gregg Allman’s Grammy-nominated “Low Country Blues”, as well as on Grammy-winner Rhiannon Giddens’ most-recent album, “Tomorrow Is My Turn”, and Diana Krall’s 2012 CD, “Glad Rag Doll”. In 2013, Linden was tabbed by Bob Dylan to play guitar in the music icon’s band for his summer tour. Recently, he was the featured guitar player on the PBS-TV special saluting gospel music, “In Performance at the White House,” backing such luminaries as Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett, Shirley Caesar and the aforementioned Rhiannon Giddens. In recent years, he’s also played on the soundtracks for a number of feature films, including “Inside Llewyn Davis”, “The Hunger Games”, “R.I.P.D”. and the acclaimed documentary, “A Place at the Table”. And on August 29, he’ll be the music director for the special tribute to legendary Sun Records founder Sam Phillips scheduled at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Every cut on this disc is a jewel and worth the price of the album, alone. Three Boomerocity favorites are, coincidentally enough, are in sequential order on the CD.  They are:

The Hurt:  Mournful and gut wrenching, it’s what the blues is all about and sets up to the next song.

Everybody Ought To Be Loved: The title almost says it all. The music says the rest with a soft, easy, lilting melody.

Rich In Love: The title cut has the mood and feel that it was recorded in the middle of the crossroads on a dark and lonely night.

Yeah, you really need to buy this disc. It’s that good.