It seems rather appropriate that the Tulsa-based Pilgrim opted to record their latest – No Offense, Nevermind, Sorry – at Leon Russell’s former Paradise Studios. Much like Russell’s impressive mix of soul, rock, country and R&B, Pilgrim, led by Beau Roberson, has that same knack for corralling a slew of different genres to make for a remarkably enjoyable record.
Along with Roberson’s dynamic vocals and guitar, he pads Pilgrim with some of the best Oklahoma has to offer like John Fulbright on keys – quite possibly the Red Dirt scene’s most underrated musician and songwriter – and guitarist Jesse Aycock, who put out a solid solo album earlier this year. The band worked with engineers Jason Weinheimer (of the Libras) and Zachariah Reeves of Fellowship Hall Sound who have help fine tune some great Americana records over the past year like releases from Pony Bradshaw and Weinheimer’s own band.
Snare and slide guitar on “Darkness of the Bar” opens up the record in a measured, great song about mending rifts in the family that manages to show off both Roberson’s stellar songwriting chops and his smooth as whiskey vocals. But it doesn’t take long for Pilgrim tackle heartbreak in “Out of Touch,” on the very next track. Elsewhere, they take on parenthood on the sweet “Pray For You,” and fucking up on the fantastically relatable “Backslider,” an absolutely impressive track that alone is worth owning the album for. Thankfully, you get close to a dozen other remarkable songs with the purchase. The album is also brimming with bar songs, those best enjoyed with friends and the self-pity drinking alone variety like “Scar Across My Heart.”
Roberson has mentioned before that the very first albums he ever bought with his own money were greatest hits collections from Bob Dylan and the classic fink/soul band War, two seemingly incongruent artists and influences that make a whole of sense once you listen to No Offense, Nevermind, Sorry.
Photo credit: Phil Clarkin
