Sherman Robertson – One More Time
In August 2011 Sherman Robertson and his UK touring band started work on what was to be a new studio album
Sherman hadn’t released any new music for a long time and was famously reticent about recording but agreed to one day in the studio to see what we could come up with. By the end of that day he was dancing around the mixing desk listening to the roughs we had just cut full of enthusiasm and ideas. It was wonderful to see.
We made some working mixes of the songs at the end of the session for him to take home and digest before returning later that year to redo guitars, vocals and the rest of the album. Sadly it was the last time we would all be in the room together. On the flight home Sherman was taken ill and never returned to the studio, or the stage. ‘One More Time’ is a posthumous release of those four rough tracks just as they were the day we left that studio.
Although technically unfinished they embody the raw energy that followed Sherman everywhere. A snapshot in time. Many thanks to long time friend Marcus Malone who has been instrumental in this EP seeing the light on Redline Music Label. Also thanks to Mary Beth Robertson, Sherman’s wife, for her support and permission to release.
Whilst on the road in France I awoke after an incredibly vivid dream. I was reading a Kieth Richards autobiography at the time and he’d appeared to me in my dream. “Just book the studio” he said.
Text below is from drummer Jamie Little:
I ran down stairs and found Sherman and the other guys at breakfast. I told Sherman about my dream and he said it was a sign!
I immediately started making calls. I knew we had one more show in France and then we were back to the uk for a couple days rest before one final uk show (if memory serves).
I called my friend Jimmi Howell who was the engineer at a great little studio near Coleshill in Warwickshire called Blue 42. . I booked it there and then and said we would see him in two days time.
Songs… we needed songs…
I called Marcus Malone. Marcus and I had met on the island of Mustique for Dana Gillespies blues festival and got along great. He said he’d send me a couple of things he said we could use.
Within 48 hours we were loading into the studio. I didn’t give Sherman time to think about it. We cut 5 songs and they were really sounding great.
I had my friend O. Pinnock come in and play rhythm guitar and acoustic so Sherman could concentrate on singing and lead guitar.
By 4pm that day Sherman was dancing around the mixing desk like a school boy. Full of ideas and enthusiasm.
Little did he know I’d also booked two brass players (Sam Rogers on Sax and Bryan Corbett on trumpet) to turn up and lay down some parts. Within an hour he was running back and forth to the live room singing them the brass arrangements he wanted. It was fantastic to see him so animated.
Next were the Backing Vocals! I had my Girlfriend at the time ( she’s now my wife) Genevieve Sylva come in and as well as a long time friend Matt Hoy to do the BVs. It went smooth and Sherman loved it. He was eager to mix it so we made some rough mixes in the time we had left.
We all came out that day walking 10 feet tall.
We played a few shows over the next few days and Sherman had big ideas. He was due to fly home to Texas for a rest ( we had been out for 6 weeks at least) but he was already saying he wanted to come back and do more in the studio.
The plan had worked! Sherman was inspired again.
Sadly, On the plane home he had a stroke which he never really recovered from. He convalesced at home with his wife Mary Beth caring for him for many years. He never got back on stage.
He died in January 2021.
The songs we had recorded remained locked away for 14 years until Marcus called me and encouraged me to get them out there.
He loved ‘em in their raw, unfinished form… and so did I. As I’d payed for the studio and all the musicians on the day I owned the recordings.
We had them mastered and released the 4 best songs in the new EP One More Time.
Tracks:
01. One More Time – Marcus Malone
02. Texas Cutie – Sherman Robertson
03. What About Me – Marcus Malone
04. Memphis Train – Rufus Thomas
Credits:
Lead Vocal and Guitar – Sherman Robertson
Bass – Gary Rackam
Keys – Jools Grudgings
Drums – Jamie Little
Additional musicians:
Guitar – O. Pinnock(tracks 1,3,4)
Sax – Sam Rogers (tracks 2,4)
Trumpet – Bryan Corbett(2,4)
Backing Vocals – Matt Hoy & Genevieve Sylva(tracks1,3,4)