Mitch Ryder

Songs From The Road

Ruf Records

When an artist of Mitch Ryder’s caliber looks back over a storied six-decade career, one should listen up. Ryder is the spiritual forefather to every blue-collar firebrand who ever turned up an amp and hollered their truth. He is the rock ’n’ roll pioneer who stood at the flashpoint of the late 1950s with hits like “Jenny Take a Ride” and his electrifying reworking of “Devil With a Blue Dress On.” Ryder was the last man to perform with Otis Redding in 1967 and became the first living white artist inducted into the R&B Hall of Fame in 2017. His recent studio album, “With Love,” produced by Don Was and recorded in Detroit, was released on February 21, 2025.

Ruf Records’ “Songs From The Road” series features two-disc sets—one audio and one video—capturing iconic artists at their best. Previous releases have included Luther Allison, Bernard Allison, Dana Fuchs, Jeff Healey, Jack Bruce & Robin Trower, and others. For Ryder’s edition, the audio was recorded live in March 2025 at Berlin’s Frannz Club, while the DVD footage was filmed earlier that February in Lindewerra, Thuringia, the home base of Ruf Records. This CD/DVD set captures Ryder at his very best: passionate, uncompromising, and timeless. The thirteen songs on the CD and DVD are identical except for one selection. The ensemble includes Ryder on vocals; Laura Chavez and Sean Athens on guitars; Lea Worms on keyboards; Tomek Germann on bass; and Denis Palatin on drums. All songs are credited either to William Levise, Ryder’s birth name, or to his professional name.

The CD opens with “Lilli May,” as Ryder sings, “Hey, Lilli May, it’s another day, everything you tell me never turns out true… why do you lie, give an alibi, I don’t satisfy love, I am just a fool, why do I stay?” The performance is gritty and direct, driven by the tight rhythm section and sharp guitar work.

On “Ain’t Nobody White,” Ryder delivers a provocative lyric: “Ain’t nobody white can sing the blues, no white man ever suffered, he never lived in pain, it’s all been fish and champagne… Ray Charles said no white can sing the blues except maybe Jews.” The song challenges listeners with its bold commentary and Ryder’s uncompromising vocal delivery.

“All The Fools It Sees” finds Ryder reflecting on betrayal and heartbreak. “I cried last night over you… there was a time when I trusted your word, now I know I can’t trust you, that’s how love plays all the fools it sees.” His voice carries both weariness and defiance.

“Yeah, You Right” tells a hard-edged story with Ryder growling, “Frankie had a little puppy, taught his puppy how to fight… and now this boy is doin’ time, it’s all comin’ home.” The narrative unfolds with gritty realism.

On “Do You Feel Alright,” Ryder shifts into a more introspective mood, asking, “Do you feel alright tonight, my love? Is your mind at ease, in your heart you believe?” The song showcases the emotional depth that has long defined his performances.

Many highlights follow, including “War,” “The Thrill Of It All,” “Soul Kitchen,” and “The Artist.” “Songs From The Road” stands as an essential entry in Mitch Ryder’s continuing discography, capturing a legendary performer still delivering with fire, conviction, and unmistakable authenticity.

Richard Ludmerer

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