Bob Rea - Southbound (2018)

Southbound had been released in the ’70s, some tracks might have been pegged as outlaw country, others as country rock and one or two might have made a run for the Top 40. Nowadays Bob Rea finds himself classified as Americana, a spacious catchall that implies twang and hard-scrabble authenticity. He deserves to transcend labels on the strength of songs expressing a vision—both personal and distinct—through music solidly assembled and performed with grainy conviction. Call him what you will: Rea is a superb songwriter. Dave Luhrssen/Shepherd Express.
Not one to hold back an emotional gut-punch, Bob Rea softens the blow, somewhat, with lyrical crafting and collaborations that rival those of any top-tier troubadour one can name. While often immersed in his own tragic intimacies- “Wanna Do”, “Lonely Is Lonely”- he finds a moment to season another’s parallel plight with pungent humor- “Screw Cincinnati”, then counter that light-hearted spell with the mind-searing, Cohen-esque “The Law”. Other tracks of note on this early “years-best” candidate include “Soldier On”, “Southbound” and “Vietnam”. Production and backup is first-rate. Duane Verh- Roots Music Report