Fenton Robinson - Somebody Loan Me A Dime

Fenton Robinson - Somebody Loan Me A Dime Original Release Date: September 1974 LP Release Date: June 2, 2023 Produced by Fenton Robinson and Bruce Iglauer I am very proud to announce the June 2 LP re-releases of two classic Alligator titles: Somebody Loan Me A Dime by Blues Hall of Fame inductee Fenton Robinson and Strike Like Lightning by Lonnie Mack. Both will become available on vinyl for the first time in over 30 years! Each album has been lovingly remastered under my personal supervision. These are two of the most honored and best-loved recordings on Alligator

Somebody Loan Me A Dime was originally released in 1974, just the fifth Alligator album. At that time, Fenton Robinson was recognized as a blues master by his fellow Chicago blues musicians and a handful of hardcore blues fans around the world, but was virtually unknown to the burgeoning young blues audience. He had cut over a dozen 45s during the preceding 17 years, both down South and in Chicago, including the very first version of the blues standard As The Years Go Passing By. He was the guitarist on Larry Davis’ single Texas Flood, which inspired Stevie Ray Vaughan. But his most famous song, Somebody Loan Me A Dime, (originally released as a 45 on the tiny Palos label and re-recorded in a longer version for Alligator) wasn’t credited to Fenton as the writer, because when Boz Scaggs cut his version (with Duane Allman on guitar), Boz didn’t know who had written it.
 
I had heard Fenton’s original single before I first saw him at Pepper’s Lounge on the South Side of Chicago. But I had no idea what he was capable of. His rich, soaring voice was matched by his wonderfully lyrical guitar playing, full of subtlety and nuance. Fenton built his solos slowly, verse by verse, mixing stinging single notes with rich chords, building the intensity with unexpected melodic turns and phrases. Fenton’s sound, both vocally and instrumentally, was as distinctive and soulful as those of more famous artists. He was clearly a giant talent. I knew right away that I wanted to record him. When Somebody Loan Me A Dime was released, it was acclaimed by the blues press. Living Blues magazine called Fenton “a great artist” who performed with “absolutely haunting power and beauty.” The album has been recognized for years as one of the gems of the Alligator catalog.

SIDE A:
1. Somebody Loan Me A Dime
2. The Getaway
3. Directly From My Heart To You
4. Going To Chicago
5. You Say You're Leaving
6. Checking On My Woman

SIDE B:
1. You Don't Know What Love Is
2. I've Changed
3. Country Girl
4. Gotta Wake Up
5. Texas Flood


Fenton Robinson, Guitar and Vocals
Mighty Joe Young, Rhythm Guitar
Bill Heid, Keyboards
Cornelius Boyson, Bass
Tony Gooden, Drums

Horns Arranged by Dave Baldwin
Norval D . Hodges, Trumpet
Elmer Brown, Jr., Trumpet
Dave Baldwin, Tenor Sax
Bill Mcfarland, Trombone