record collection revisited: Grinderswitch "Ghost Train From Georgia"

Before beginning this blog entry, here is a Wikipedia link explaining the roots behind Grinderswitch as a band.  Most of the original members are deceased now including founding guitarist and vocalist Dru Lombar and bassists in the '70s and 2000s incarnation of the band (Joe Dan Petty, and, Steve Miller: no relation to the frontman of the Steve Miller Band). 

Grinderswitch recorded five major albums between 1974 and 1981.  Here's the Wikipedia page about them with that discography included.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grinderswitch

The band's website may still be active as well.  Although they are now broken up after Dru Lombar's 2005 passing.

http://grinderswitch.com/

 Then, in 2005, with a reformatted lineup of Lombar on guitar, Jack Corcoran on guitar, Steve Miller on bass, Eddie Stone on keyboards (who has played with another boogie rock band I have to research called Doc Holiday), and Wally Condon on drums, the band recorded an album called "Ghost Train From Georgia" which showcases their R&B/blues roots.  Lombar's singing and guitar work on the album is heartfelt and energetic.  Dru Lombar was another master of the slide guitar, a lot like Duane Allman. 

Lombar has a bluesy sounding vocal style in addition to being a talented guitarist and songwriter.  He and the band wrote most of the tunes on their final record.  Vocalist Miranda Louise sings a few duets with Dru on the album as well.  It is good old fashioned southern fried boogie rock with a huge dose of R&B rhythms blended in, and the songwriting is very poignant in a lot of ways on tracks like "Holding On To Someone Letting Go" and "Help Me Lord" (a gospel song written by Lombar shortly before he passed).

There are some bluesy jams and some real heartfelt ballads in the track listing and the Grinderswitch sound (like many other southern bands) is original, and yet, draws heavily on blues and soul.  It's an enjoyable record to listen to just for the sheer talent of Lombar's guitar work and songwriting.  More Grinderswitch will be posted here.  Stay tuned.  For now, here's the track list to "Ghost Train From Georgia"

1. Where'd You Learn To Love Like This
2. Who's Been Cheating On Who?
3. When Two Hearts Beat As One (feat. Miranda Louise: duet vocal)
4. Ghost Train From Georgia
5. Holding On (To Someone Letting Go)
6. 2 Wheel Ride (a cool instrumental about a motorcycle with heavy surf guitar/Venture's influence)
7. Close Enough To Love (feat. Miranda Louise: duet vocal)
8. Homebound
9. Help Me Lord
10. Miss Understanding
11. Dixie Flyer