Somebody Loan Me a Dime

iTunes Review

This obscure classic beautifully captures the terse, idiosyncratic, and swinging guitar lines inspired by T-Bone Walker, and the high, whispering vocal style that were the unmistakable signatures of Robinson's unique sound. They won the Mississippi born bluesman his sole hit in 1967 when his initial recording of the title track, which Boz Scaggs cut two years later, became a regional smash around Chicago. Albert King, Eric Burdon, Elvin Bishop and many others also covered Robinson's songs. Nonetheless, he labored in obscurity until this 1974 outing, which finds him at the peak of his abilities, delivering 11 numbers rich in wistful heartbreak. But Robinson's gentle singing and improvisational solos, which make this album's "You Don't Know What Love Is" and "Checking On My Woman" so genuine and compelling, remain an acquired taste for many blues fans. He died of brain cancer in 1997 at age 62 without receiving the recognition he deserved.