Makin' a Mess: Bob Gibson Sings Shel Silverstein by Bob Gibson (CD, Jan-1995, Asylum USA)

Bob Gibson, not content to rest on his laurels as one of the true grandfathers of America's Folk revolution, has collaborated with his oldtime friend Shel Silverstein to create a toe-tapping collection of Americana that is both humorous and enlightening. Bob was a tireless supporter of the working man, and someone who believed in the equality of all humankind, but that seriousness of soul is nowhere to be found on the album "Makin' A Mess". In the anthem "I Hear America Singing" we get a taste of patriotic love for his country, and it's a good taste. By the end of the song, in typical troubador style, you know the lyrics and are singing along without even being prompted. By the end of the song "You're Still Gonna Die" I was laughing and had to play it over again. The lyrics and style of Shel Silverstein are what helped make the Seventies band Doctor Hook so fun and listenable, and have worked towards the same end on the Gibson album "Makin' A Mess". A monumental album by a monumental man, singing the songs written by a very very special writer. This album has not been re-issued since the death of Bob Gibson several years ago, and perhaps that is due to some hangup between the Gibson Estate and the Silverstein Estate. I'm hopeful it will one day be re-released and readily available to all as I am certain Bob and Shel would have wanted the world to be singing "You're still gonna, still gonna, still gonna die" along with them....wherever they might be.....