You may not know who Colin Linden is, but if you listen to modern blues and roots music, there’s a good chance you’ve heard him. Linden has produced over 70 records, including efforts by Bruce Cockburn, Paul Reddick, Lucinda Williams, and Colin James. He’s played on at least 300 albums, served as guitarist for Cockburn, Emmylou Harris, and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, and his songs have been covered by The Band, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Keb’ Mo’, and Colin James.

Linden has also released 11 solo albums over his career, the most recent of which is the ambitious From The Water (True North). The disc is dedicated to Linden’s good friend and collaborator, keyboardist Richard Bell, who passed away in 2007. Bell co-wrote one of the songs with Linden while in the hospital, “Trouble Comes In Threes,” a clever nod to Ray Charles’ Atlantic-era recordings. “Smoke Em All,” co-written by Linden and his wife, novelist Janice Powers, is a warm tribute to Bell and probably the only song that refers to Ray Charles and George Chuvalo in the same line. “The Heaven Me” is another tribute to Bell.

The title track is another highlight, beginning as a banjo-driven jaunt, but turning into an atmospheric New Orleans shuffle with lots of spooky slide guitar. “Mon Couer Est Dans Tes Mains” is a elegant number with a passionate vocal from Linden and so is the spiritual “I Have Seen A Miracle.”

“Later Than You Think” also has a spooky New Orleans feel to it. This is one of three songs from the recent Paul Reddick album, Sugarbird (produced by Linden), featured on From The Water (the others being the bluesy “Devilment,” with Reddick on harmonica, and “John Lennon In New Orleans,” reborn as a ’60s era ballad ) that Linden reinterprets and gives a whole new life to. In the liner notes, Linden states that he sees From The Water and Sugarbird as companion pieces.

Linden’s guitar work stands out from start to finish, and he gets great support from his backing musicians (Gary Craig – drums, percussion; John Dymond – bass; Bryan Owings – drums, percussion; John Whynot – keyboards; Whitey Johnson – National Resophonic guitar). Reddick also adds harmonica to selected tracks and the Memphis Horns (Wayne Jackson – trumpet, Tom McGinley – saxophone, and Jack Hale – trombone) give several tracks a R&B feel.

An exceptional, highly emotional piece, From The Water will grab you from the opening note and hold you until the last. If you don’t know who Colin Linden is, pick this disc up and prepare to be amazed.