Popa Chubby is a blues musician. While that's a true statement, it really doesn't cover it. At times this album goes toward hard rock. At other points it leans on jazz. There is even some rap here. One song is even about Motorhead. All in all, this is a fairly effective set of music. If you dig the blues with some real variety, give this a chance. On the other hand, if you fit into that category, you've probably already heard this guy and have the album. If not, what are you waiting for?
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2017 Volume 1 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
Going Dowtown See My Old Gal Sue
This is fiery hot blues rock. It's classy and classic.
Good Thing There is some funk in the midst here. This is another cool tune. It's a bit less blues and more jazz or even something like Zappa.
Bye Bye Love This old chestnut gets a real retro textured rendition. It's an instrumental that's a nice touch.
Cry Till It's a Dull Ache Funk and blues and more merge on this killer cut. It has a lot of soul and class.
Wes is More Old school blues is merged with old school jazz on this cool tune. It's slow moving and fairly mellow. The guitar soloing is very vintage in sound and structure. This instrumental is a lot of fun in a very vintage way. I really dig the bass solo.
Motörhead Saved My Life This one gets points for the title alone. The cut musically feels a bit like Motorhead, appropriately. Still, it's not as hard edged as it would have been done by Lemmy and the guys. This gets a definite parental advisory. I think Lemmy would be proud of this tune.
Blues for Charlie Here we get a tune that's more of a blues number. That's appropriate given the title. This is so classic. It definitely makes me think of BB King. There is a bit of a jazz vibe built into this, too. This is another instrumental.
Dirty Diesel This is fiery hot blues rock. It's so fun. It's catchy and has so much energy. This might be my favorite tune here, really.
Slow Down Sugar
I'm not a huge fan of this one. It has a cool slow jazzy groove that works well. To me the rap doesn't work that well. I don't know. It just seems to cheapen the tune. Still, the cut does have a cool vibe to it. The cut is a bit overly long, too.
Put a Grown Man to Shame
A bit jazzy, this bluesy tune works pretty well. It's retro in style, but has a bit of a modern edge to it.
The Catfish The title track has a cool groove to it. It's part funk, part blues and part rock. It just oozes cool in an understated, soulful way.
C'mon in My Kitchen Here we get an old school, acoustic guitar based blues tune. This is fun and very retro in texture. It has some cool slide guitar and a catchy vocal arrangement.
