Sid Selvidge
A Little Bit of Rain
Archer Records
By Al Kunz
 "Memphis
music is a concept, not a sound."
Robert Gordon in It Came From Memphis
Almost fifty years ago a single released by upstart Sun Records
became the first record to top the pop, country, and rhythm and
blues charts. Through the sixties and seventies record labels
Stax, Volt and Hi produced great records that developed a new
generation of fans when Dan Ackroyd and the Belushi brothers
cherry-picked some of the best for their Blues Brothers projects.
In his book It Came From Memphis Robert Gordon chronicles
the unique cultural influences that resulted in arguably the
most important innovations in American popular music in the later
half of the twentieth century.
The "concept" of Memphis music Gordon refers to
in the opening quotation is the blending of different musical
styles. In Memphis this has historically been wrapped up in
the issue of racial integration. Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn
gained fame as two white boys who as members of the Stax rhythm
section worked with some of the most popular soul and R &
B artists of the time (Cropper even co-writing "Dock of
the Bay" with Otis Redding and "Knock on Wood"
with Eddie Floyd). The old saw says that Sam Phillips was looking
for a white singer who sounded black when the future king or
rock and roll walked in the door. Going beyond the obvious of
Elvis, B.B. King and the Reverend Al, Gordon delves into artists
like Cropper and Dunn that while sometimes lesser known are no
less important in understanding this period of Memphis musical
history. Whether Alex Chilton's evolution from teenage hitmaker
with The Boxtops ("The Letter") to cult and critical
favorite with Big Star or the on-a-shoestring startup of Chip
Moman's American Sound Studio, a perusal of It Came From Memphis
leads to the conclusion that the most exciting innovations in
Memphis were happening on the edges and, at least at the time,
out of the national spotlight.
A central figure in Gordon's book is Jim Dickinson, producer
of A Little Bit of Rain, with Sid Selvidge making several
appearances as a solo artist and, with Dickinson, as a member
of Mud Boy and the Neutrons. Although Selvidge is also a songwriter
he's best known for his striking interpretations of classics
and shoulda-been classics written by others on his rare solo
releases (averaging eight or more years between records). A
Little Bit of Rain only strengthens this reputation.
Selvidge's voice shines whether singing an oft-covered standard
("Long Black Veil") or an unknown song by a great,
yet unheralded, soul and blues guitarist (Eddie Hinton's "Every
Natural Thing"). It might be "Long Tall Mama"
that he learned from a Big Bill Broonzy record, an old folk song
("Hobo Bill") or folk of more recent vintage on the
Fred Neil penned title track, genre doesn't matter. Must be
that Memphis thing.
Two ballads, John Hiatt's "The River" and "Do
I Ever Cross Your Mind?" (written by Billy Burnette and
former Captain Beefheart sideman Mike Smotherman) standout on
this disc of standouts. This is partially due to the Hammond
B3 organ played by Jim Dickinson on each (nothing says Memphis
like a B3). But mostly it's Selvidge's soulful falsetto. Perfect
accompaniment for slow dancing or just snuggling next to the
fireplace.
Selvidge's sole songwriting credit on A Little Bit of Rain
is "Arkansas Girl," a waltz-time tribute to his
wife. After the events of 9/11 Selvidge explains in the liner
notes, he "had to leave the house to get some perspective."
While walking along the Mississippi he saw three planes stacked
one above the other that reminded him of musical notes, looked
across the river at his wife's home state, and this song was
born.
You're the girl that I have always loved
You're the girl that I have always dreamed of
My love for you will always be true
Deep down in my soul
Lyrics that are simple, heartfelt, and to the point. Send
this as a poem to your wife or girlfriend. Maybe it'll get you
out of the trouble you're in. Maybe not. But sing it the way
Selvidge does with only acoustic guitar and understated upright
bass helping you along and I guarantee it'll do the trick.
Don't wait for Sid Selvidge's next release (estimated delivery
in mid-2014). Song samples from A Little Bit of Rain
and instructions for ordering if you're so inclined can be found
at www.archer-records.com
Contact Al Kunz at kunz-at-rockzilla.net
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