Robert Finley served as musical guest on Tuesday’s episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert where he performed “Make Me Feel Alright” with help from Dan Auerbach. The Black Keys guitarist/singer produced Finley’s 2021 album, Sharecropper’s Son, and distributed it through his Easy Eye Sound label. The two taped their performance at Easy Eye Sound in Nashville, TN.
Though Auerbach recruited Finley to Easy Eye back in 2017 for his sophomore release, Goin’ Platinum!, it appears the 68-year-old blues singer has had more influence on the young guitarist than the other way around. Last year, The Black Keys devoted their 10th album to the Delta Blues, Delta Kream, featuring covers of Junior Kimbrough, R.L. Burnside, and more. These covers were at the genesis of Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney‘s first musical collaborations three decades ago, and with the steady stream of blues emanating from Easy Eye Sound, it appears Dan is getting back in touch with his roots.
Related: Vintage Bluesman Robert Finley Says “I Can Feel Your Pain” In Reflective Video [Watch]
“Make Me Feel Alright” flows right out of the Mississippi swamp and into the speakers. The bouncy roll of a fuzzy slide guitar reels back and forth atop a loping snare drum. The instrumentation is merely aesthetic, however, as Finley’s howling vocals are the main attraction.
Watch Robert Finley and Dan Auerbach perform “Make Me Feel Alright” from Nashville on The Late Show. Finley is gearing up for a cross-country tour set to begin on January 19th in Cleveland, OH. For tickets and a full list of tour dates visit his website. Sharecropper’s Son is out now across streaming platforms.
Robert Finley, Dan Auerbach – “Make Me Feel Alright”