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Les Claypool's Frog Brigade, Live Frogs Set 1 (Red Inc. Records)
This is the first of two CDs recorded live at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco back in October 2000. Despite the tightness of the band, there's a '70s free-jam feel to much of the material, in part because live albums were so much in vogue at that time, and in part due to the choice of the material, such as covers of King Crimson and Pink Floyd. My guess though is that Claypool chose the live version not only because he's a busy man, but also to showcase the musicianship, which is quite good, and the immediacy of the technically challenging songs.
As for the players, there's Claypool, who can play bass well, either melodically or all fast and flashy. On guitars is Todd Huth and Eenor, with the former an original member of Primus, in addition to being in bands Sausage (with Claypool) and Porch. On drums is Jay Lane, who also plays with Claypool in Rat Dog and Sausage. On keys is Jeff Chimenti, while on sax is Skerik, from Critters Buggin. And together these guys can play, and they mesh together well, given they'd only been together a short time before this recording was made.
Frogs chirp as the disc starts, and the instruments wander a bit like an orchestra warming up, and then bang, it's into King Crimson's "Thela Hun Ginjeet," a song you may not know by the title, but if you heard it, you'd go, "oh, that one." And instead of Adrian Belew's wild wailing guitar, there's a sax solo by Skerik, which is intense in a different way, weaving in and out of effectland, honking and barking like a wild bull. And with a track time of 14:25, there's enough space for other solos, including a guitar through a talk box (a la Frampton -- there's that '70s thing again).
Other cuts include songs by Sausage and Holy Mackerel, like the former's "Riddles Are Abound Tonight," a mad funk number that is the shortest cut on the disc (just under six minutes). "Hendershot" is another funky, Munsters-type surf tune that rips past, with a wild guitar solo, followed by Claypool musing, "You know, I really can't get over the beauty, that is surf saxophone," and again, Skerik takes off. And probably most listeners will be familiar with "Shine on You Crazy Diamond," the number that closes the disc. (If you're keeping score, Set 2, the second disc yet to be released, features the Frog Brigade covering Pink Floyd's "Animals" in its entirety.)
In summary, it's difficult to categorize the outfit. They can all play the daylights out of their instruments, and are often given the chance to shine, as they do. The choice of music is perhaps a bit strange, but then again, if you miss the space jams of days gone by,
it'll seem like an old friend has stopped by to visit. – B.R.
Related News:
March 30, 2001 - Les Claypool, Stewart Copeland and Trey Anastasio to Record
Blues Traveler, Bridge (Universal/A&M Records)
After the untimely death of their bassist in 1999, and with frontman John Popper undergoing heart surgery, Blues Traveler were in danger of being written off by many as victims of bad rock 'n' roll karma. Yet, as bands go, Blues Traveler are more durable than most, and they continue to grow with their latest release, Bridge.
The bulk of the tunes have that buoyant, happy, folk rock feel to them, that hippie bounce that traces its roots to the late sixties and the emergence of bands like the Grateful Dead. And on "You Lost Me There," the rhythm guitar uses an envelope filter or wah pedal to generate that wop-wop sound reminiscent of the Dead's "Terapin Station." Rather than the guitar solos of Jerry Garcia filling the tune, however, the powerful (for lack of a more powerful word) harmonica of Popper infuses the breaks. Popper's ubiquitous harp has been toned down somewhat, but like a great jazz sax player, when he speaks, you listen.
The emphasis on Bridge seems to be more on working Popper's voice, which, though it's tremendously identifiable and has gotten better over time, will never be a great voice. Yet, as the late Joey Ramone proved, you don't have to have a great voice to be a great vocalist. And it's that signature sound, in part, that provides the appeal of the band. Imagine Blues Traveler with a slick voice out front, and likely they're just another band with a hot harp player.
You'll also sense a funky '70s undercurrent to many of the tunes, embellished by a Rhodes keyboard or clavichord, as on "You're Burning Me" where the popping keys might remind you of Stevie Wonder or other Motown artists. Look for some wicked harp work here too. "Rage" is another number that might transport you back in time while somehow staying current. Popper's doubled vocals lay over a mid-tempo, bass-heavy groove, and the guitar solo sounds like it's going through an octave box, giving it a thick distorted tone with the hint of a lower octave.
All is not dark and funky though. "Just For Me" has that signature gait to it, a song that sounds so joyously happy as it clips along, with Popper's voice raging like his harmonica, dancing a melody with his mouth in rapid syllables. And when he plays his harp, you anticipate the oncoming slurry of rapid-fire notes, exploding out in succession like machine-gun bullets, peppering the air like no other harp player can.
The title may well refer to the transition Blues Traveler have undergone. Despite the dark elements of 1999, the band seems like a playful dog, poised to take the new century in its mouth and give it a good shake, showing the world that it's in control. Blues Traveler are set to tour relentlessly, as they have in the past, and the addition of the new material found on Bridge should find a welcome home on their set lists. – B.R.
Related Stories:
May 3, 2001 - Blues Traveler Take on Letterman, Howard Stern, VH1, CBGB's, More
Dec. 14, 2000 - Jon Popper, Tom Petty, and Jon Bon Jovi perform for Al Gore
Sept. 1999 - CD Review: John Popper's solo effort, Zygote
The Black Crowes, Lions (V2 Records)
Being a rock critic sho' nuff has its share of perks: piles of free CDs, a calendar packed with star-studded concerts, and interviews with artists whose work makes the long strange trip from cradle to grave a little more bearable. The downside of the critic gig comes when a favorite band releases an atrocious album of half-baked riffs and lackluster lyrics that shouldn't be sold without a package of No Doz to keep listeners from nodding out after the third song. Such is the sad, but true, case of the Black Crowes, Atlanta Georgia's gentlemen purveyors of southern-fried, Rolling Stones-inspired rock 'n' roll. The Crowes' new CD Lions is bound to dishearten fans who thought the band's creative cocktail had been refreshed following the success of 1999's By Your Side disc and last year's tour with superstar guest guitarist Jimmy Page that produced the much-talked-about double album of Led Zep cover tunes Live at the Greek.
At last, it appeared that the Crowes had returned to the greasy, groovy songwriting that defined their debut disc Shake Your Money Maker and were once again a road-ready cast of nasties worthy of Melody Maker's praise that they are "the most rock 'n' roll, rock 'n' roll band in the world."
What a difference a year makes. Lions is nothing to roar home about. It's as ramshackle, plodding and forgettable as their Three Snakes and One Charm and Amorica albums, both of which had previously epitomized the Black Crowes at their stoned-out, unfocused, hippy-dippy worst. From the opening feedback squeak of "Midnight from the Inside Out" to the comatose closing of "Lay It All on Me," Lions is an hour-long lullaby with barely five minutes worth tapping your boot heels to. After repeated listening sessions, determined to find something good to say about the damned thing, I can safely say that "Come On" is the hottest of Lions' thirteen tepid tracks and "Soul Singing" has the heartfelt appeal and soulful groove of an "Exile on Main Street" outtake. The rest of the album? As they say in Brooklyn, forgetaboutit, which believe me, won't be hard to do. – S.D.
Related Stories:
- March 2001: CD Review: Spacehog's The Hogyssey (Spacehog join the Black Crowes and Oasis on their "Tour of Brotherly Love" this summer)
- March 1, 2001: The Black Crowes Sue Lloyd's of London
- Feb 27, 2001: The Black Crowes and Oasis Confirm Co-headlining Performances
- Feb 05, 2001: The Black Crowes Party Down in New York City
- Nov 02, 2000: Oasis and the Black Crowes Discuss Plans For a Co-Headlining Summer Trek
- Oct 30, 2000: Black Crowes Record in NYC Yiddish Theater
- Sept 9, 2000: Jimmy Page and the Black Crowes Forced to Cancel Remainder of Tour
- Aug 25, 2000: Jimmy Page and the Black Crowes Announce Rescheduled Shows Starting September 15
- Aug 7, 2000: Who, Jimmy Page and the Black Crowes Add Third Show at the Garden
- July 5, 2000: Jimmy Page and the Black Crowes Set Television Appearances
- April 17, 2000: Jimmy Page and the Black Crowes Announce Summer Tour
- Feb 1999: Interview with the Black Crowes
- March 1999: Concert Review
May 2001
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