Robert Deitch - Legacy (2025)

The material on this collection is a consistent showcase of soulful Americana with a dash of country music composed in a bright & melancholy storytelling manner. Songs deal with moving forward, redemption & self-reckoning. Predominantly, the human experience.

12 pieces make up Legacy, produced by Bryan Vanderpool (guitar/drums). Out of the starting gate, the Iowa-native Robert Deitch’s voice is somewhat trekking across the Bruce Springsteen landscape with “Church, 2 Tavern Town.” At least, in his intonation. But he adds far more character to his singing than Bruce usually applies. It’s as if Robert’s what Bruce would sound like if Bruce went full-time country. This is a well-arranged piece of music sung with sincerity.

Several of the songs that follow are equally good. He doesn’t always sound like Springsteen. Robert has a good grip on subjects for songs by not writing about things that have been written ad nauseam. “Truck Stop Souvenir” is a good road song — not picking on the journey of the road itself, but when a traveler takes a break from rolling his tires across miles of tar & cement, but in the palace of the lonely environment of cheap souvenirs.

One of Robert’s best rockers is all Robert with no sign of Springsteen. As a duo performance, it includes a fiery vocalist — Emilee Johnson, who adds to the thrust of this fine piece. A wonderful tune by them.

Robert’s also sharp with serious ballads. “Bullet Holes” comes in with melancholy pedal steel guitar & poignant words & vocals. Just shy of too much drama, Robert negotiates this one with skill. By the time Mr. Deitch reaches track 11, he slips back into his Springsteen tone (but he does it quite well) since it’s more like Bruce with singing lessons. Eloquent, controlled. It’s a good slow ballad, well-composed & performed.

The album wraps up with the finest of them all. A cross between Springsteen, John Mellencamp & Tom Waits. A nice mash-up. “Dyin’ Day” is an excellent song. Robert digs a little deeper into his poignancy bag & comes up with descriptive lyrics that grab the ear. Inventive, in a short story, nostalgic manner. Right up there with songs like “My Father’s Chair,” by Rick Springfield & “Goin’ Fishin’” by David Knopfler. Tearjerker? Absolutely. And quite good.

Highlights – “Church, 2 Tavern Town,” “Better Things,” “Truck Stop Souvenir,” Trailer Park Romance,” “Bullet Holes” & “Dyin’ Day.”

Musicians – Robert Deitch (lead vocals/guitar), Jim Stevens (drums), Tanner Taylor (piano), Ben Mars, Phil Midnight Smith (bass), Sarah Vanderpool & Emilee Johnson (vocals), Mackenzie Shoning (vocals/bgv), Eric Haywood (pedal steel guitar), Seth Hedquist, James Biehn & Dave Ducharm-Jones (guitars) & Katherine Severing Fox (strings).