The story of singer Robert Finley, born in Louisiana, reads like an adventure novel for adults. He lost his sight almost completely while working as a carpenter and decided to become a busker. A happy accident, in a way, because Finley’s talent was soon discovered. None other than Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach signed the blues singer and guitarist, who is now 64, on his Easy Eye Sound label, co-wrote the songs on the album Goin’ Platinum! (2017) and even produced it. Auerbach characterizes the qualities of Finley’s singing as follows: ‘He has that magnetic hugeness about his voice.’ And now the man behind that voice stands where he belongs, as the musical blueprint for the American Dream: on international stages. For the lovers of raw blues rock with a splash of soul and a dash of gospel this late bloomer’s debut at North Sea Jazz is a real must-see.
