Robert Allen Parker salutes “Skydog” Allman

RSVP: The River's Invitation

Robert Allen Parker is a Memphis-based guitarist, songwriter, producer and veteran of both the creative midtown Memphis music scene and the downtown Memphis blues scene. The River’s Invitation presents Parker’s diversified musical vision in a double vinyl album,—rare in this age of short attention spans—but his screaming guitar, razor-tight songcraft and an array of top-shelf Memphis singers have created an album that begs for enough acreage to let it flow.

The River’s Invitation is Parker’s second album release, but Parker’s guitar style beckons the long line of blues rock greats; Cream-era Clapton, Steve Marriott, Hendrix, Leslie West & Duane Allman. The Memphis Flyer called Parker’s guitar playing “a perfect combination of growl and grit.” Vocals are aided and abetted by some of Memphis’ best: Kennard Farmer, Candice Ivory, Chris Stephenson, and Lahna Deering.

Robert Allen Parker explained a bit of his “Skydog’s” story to Elmore:

“How can I express how deeply inspired I am by the music of Duane Allman? With a song of course! There is such a magical intensity to the original lineup of the Allman Brothers Band. As a guitarist, it follows me wherever I go. I even played in a Memphis-based Allmans tribute band called Trouble No More.

“I wanted to write an instrumental piece that echoes the loving spirit of Duane Allman. ‘Skydog’ is a nickname that Wilson Pickett gave him, and it accurately describes where his guitar playing takes you. The beginning combines the sounds of an acoustic guitar with the sounds of nature, and things build up with an ever Allman-esque harmony guitar line. Then a mellow mushroomed breakdown is followed by a joyous let-it-all-hang-out ending. This one is for you, Duane.”

Displaying Parker’s electric, acoustic, slide, and lead guitar prowess, the album flows like a river and takes you along to witness all of his explorations.