“There are no pills or potions, sometimes going through the motions brings us closer – and that’s all I need from you” sings Bob Marston on this new, and title, song from the debut album of the band he fronts. And it sounds like typical love affair issues – and it is, on one level. But Marston is also taking in a bigger picture: “I know we don’t know one another but can you see me as a brother? /…/ it’s been so long I don’t know what we’re fighiing about / No right no wrong let’s get together and figure it out.” In a fractured country it’s only going to be – and here’s an idea – talking things through that’s going to straighten things out. Not so easy, of course, when progressive meets retrograde conservatism, but maybe a touch of Hippie understanding is what’s needed.
There’s a big sound on this song, reminiscent of Grateful Dead in places, and that comes from having a big band. Bob Marston & The Credible Sources consists of Bob Marston (acoustic guitar/electric guitar/lead vocals) is accompanied by George Hipp (acoustic guitar/electric guitar/dobro/ backing vocals), Natalie Valentine (backing vocals), Aaron Branson or Eric Onimus on bass, and drummer Brett Huffman. ‘So Long’ also features keyboard master Matt Slocum (Railroad Earth, Jimmy Herring, and many more), powerhouse vocalist LaToya Matthews, and monster bass player Adrian Marmolejo (Early James and the Latest). Trombonist Chad Fisher (St. Paul and the Broken Bones), Allen Branstetter (St. Paul and the Broken Bones) on trumpet, and Gary Wheat on saxophone and clarinet bring horn-infused heat, while award-winning fiddler Adam Purvis, Niamh Tuohy (violin), Melanie Richardson-Rodgers (viola), and Patty Pillon (cello) provide cinematic strings.
