| Track by Track Review
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Need For You
This is a fun little, somewhat bluesy, R & B type tune with some definite old-time rock and roll elements. It seems a little too lightweight for a disc opener, but it works reasonably well in that slot. The more powered up section later is better and the vocal arrangement does a lot to redeem this. |
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Daughters & Sons
Here we get a track that’s more pure old-school rock and roll. This is more fun than the first track and really should have been in that slot as far as I’m concerned.
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Motherless Child
Now, this is what I’m talking about! This is the strongest track we’ve heard so far. It’s bluesy and powerful and just plain killer.
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Century of the Blues
A little less energetic, this is no less potent. It’s another killer blues number that just plain rocks. It also represents the third straight piece that would have made for a better opener than “Need For You.” This gets quite powerful as it carries on and might well be the strongest number on show here.
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Some Bad News
They just keep ‘em coming. This is another bluesy powerhouse, but it has a lot more soul in the mix. It has a killer saxophone solo, too.
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Clouds In My Heart
Far more pure blues in texture, this is another killer in a string of them.
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One More Day
Here they seem to drop back a bit. Of course, that’s probably personal taste because this has closer ties to gospel music and that’s not really a favorite genre of mine. There is still some tasty slide guitar work.
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Look What You Done
Here we get a killer old school slow blues grind. I’m not crazy about the vocal arrangement on this, though.
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Bull Frog
There’s a little more playful texture to this, but overall it’s just another good time bluesy rocker. The mid-section on this has a definite dated sound to it.
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Jackie
This has more of a real rock and roll texture to it.
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Sailin'
Zydeco all the way could be the title of this. I personally can’t stand accordion and it’s all over this track. I’d hit “skip,” but it might be more along your tastes than mine. It does get a cool walking bass line later, though.
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Mr. Luck
This is a cool ditty. It’s got a great groove to it and seems to combine old time rock and roll with the blues in a jam that’s just plain fun. It’s an instrumental and one of the highlights of the disc.
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Restless Islands
Now this slow groove really feels like The Band. It’s a cool tune (if perhaps a bit too twangy) and a nice change of pace.
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Over The Edge
They turn it more towards funk on this track and it’s another killer jam. It has a great retro texture and at times reminds me a bit of some of the funkier Grateful Dead music. |
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Tear Of The Clouds
This is a bit lighter in texture and more rock meets old school folk. It’s a nice change of pace, but not really a standout. We get more accordion on this one, meaning that it has a bit of a Zydeco feeling to it at times.
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No Division (Heart & Soul)
Here they give us something that’s slower and more contemplative. It’s also quite a powerful song in terms of emotional texture. This is another that shows off some The Band roots. Despite being a mellower number it’s one of the highlights of the CD.
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Life Is A Carnival
Somehow this feels to me like “Willie and the Hand Jive.” I also get a definite Blues Brothers feeling to it. Whatever you want to say about it, though, make no mistake, this is fun and energetic track and makes for an effective disc closer.
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