|
From:Mudcrutch , Warner Bros. ,
|
See Product Page
|
User Rating: Amazon Sales Rank:#84 |
| | Page: << 1 ... 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 >> |
1 of 1 customers found the following review helpful:
 Great Musicians Having Fun Making Great Music, 2008-05-04
Mudcrutch After thirty-something years this formerly obscure Gainesville, Florida band that includes Tom Petty (bass guitar and vocals), Mike Campbell (lead guitar) and Benmont Tench (keyboards and vocals) from TPATH, plus original MUDCRUTCH members Tom Leadon (guitar and vocals) and Randall Marsh (drums) has finally released it's first album. If you are looking for a hard core, strictly rock'n'roll album typical of early TPATH records, it's time to move on. If, however, you enjoy hearing a tight rock'n'roll band venture into country, R&B, and traditional folk music intermingled with rock'n'roll, read on.
"MUDCRUTCH" explores swamp, stomp, twang, and Southern psychedelic elements intermixed with rock'n'roll throughout its 14 tracks. Early influences on the band are represented by several of the capably-performed covers that are included: "Six Days on The Road" previously done by the Flying Burrito Brothers and others, and "Lover of the Bayou" by Roger McGuinn and the Byrds. The frogs audible at the beginning of "Lover of the Bayou" performed gratis and are not credited in the liner notes. Tom Leadon reprised the only original MUDCRUTCH song on the album "Queen of the Go-Go Girls", which has a country sound and recounts numerous gigs played by the band during the early 1970s at Dubs, a topless bar and steakhouse in Gainesville.
The band's rendition of an old Applachian folk song "Shady Grove" is beautifully done with Petty and Leadon sharing lead vocals and harmony. They are familiar enough with each other from the early days such that their phrasing and harmonies sound as if they have been singing together for much longer than is actually the case. Playing bass appears to free up Petty to do some of the most interesting vocals that he has shared with us in years. The arrangement, guitar work and keyboards on another old traditional song "June Apple" are all right on.
New original songs including "Scare Easy", "The Wrong Thing To Do", and "Bootleg Flier" are enjoyable and reminiscent of earlier TPATH songs. Another new song "House of Stone" reflects Tom's appreciation of good country music played by a capable band (versus "country music" played by bad rock bands with a fiddle)."Orphan of the Storm" is another new song with a country sound that is noteworthy. The distinctive beat and great bass work of "Topanga Cowgirl" has made it one of my favorite tracks on the album. The album also features a nice lead vocal done by Benmont Tench on an upbeat rock song that he wrote for the album "This Is a Good Street". Additionally, Benmont's fantastic keyboard work throughout makes a significant contribution to every track. The epic "Crystal River" may not survive being cut for radio play because of its length, but it alone is worth the price of the album. After multiple plays, I come away convinced that there is not a single weak track on the album.
The best endorsement for buying this album may be Mike Campbell's comment that it is his favorite of all of the albums that he has contributed to. This from a musician that may well be the best lead guitarist working today. The entire album was done in ten days at Petty's home studio in Malibu without a single overdub on any of the fourteen tracks. "There are no ornaments," Campbell says of the music. "We performed without headphones in the studio, all live takes, playing in a circle." The members of MUDCRUTCH really enjoyed making this music and it clearly shows.
1 of 1 customers found the following review helpful:
Mudcrutch Raves, 2008-05-04
This record by Mudcrutch, Tom Petty's group prior to the Heargbreakers, is a magnificent effort. Every track is a great one. MIke Campbell and Benmont Tench play with Petty and as usual the musicianship is beyond compare. Campbell is arguably one of the best if not the best lead rock guitarist of all time. Tench is right up there with him on the keyboards. Pety's songwriting ability is legendary and unquestionable. "Crystal River" is a beautiful song with a long instrumental middle that is lovely and evocative. My personal favorite song off the CD is "The Wrong Thing to Do", a clever, fast paced rocker. I can never praise this CD enough or Petty enough. He is so good, he is kind of beyond a word description. He is also far and above the best live performer I will ever hope to see. If you've never seen him live, go! You won't eve be disappointed. As a fan of Petty's music for over thirty years, I can say I've never heard a bad Petty album, ever and I have them all. This Mudcrutch CD is stupendous. I could mention every song, they are all above par. Its more than worth every cent. It will give you years of listening pleasure.
Wow. Seriously., 2008-05-03
I'm utterly blown away. It's everything I wished Tom Petty would start doing again. Stop caring about the arena RAWK, fist-pumpin'-anthem each album promoted by a white guy in a suit requires. White guys in suits are SMART! I'm gonna be 40 next month and this record makes me want to hide my bong from my Mom. You like-y Petty, then you buy-ey. You won't be disappointed. Peace Out, [...]... And back it up to that Crystal River track again while yer up - thanks.
1 of 4 customers found the following review helpful:
Tom Petty is a genius, 2008-05-03
I just received Mudcrutch and I'm so blown away!! This CD is a mix of Bluegrass/Rock. Tom Petty truly out did himself. This is a masterpiece. Anyone who is a true Petty fan will not be disapointed. In fact you will be so glad you own it.
12 of 46 customers found the following review helpful:
 Jug bands unite!, 2008-05-01
I'm a firm supporter of Tom Petty...when he's rocking.
This CD is labeled as rock but this is NOT rock.
I expected Breakdown or Refugee and I got Jethro's Jugband Jamboree.
As expected, the songs are well written and story driven but it's still not Rock in my book.
Instrumentals are great and flowing, like there was a lot of work put into it but again, not rock.
The 2 songs that are noteworthy are Crystal River and Scare Easy. They seem to stand out from the rest as possibly less twang and more melody.
Not a bad CD, just a bad catagory to place it in. It would probably sell better in Country...maybe.
I read somewhere that it has a Bob Dylan sound. Yes, I could agree with that. I did get a minor Dylan feel from it.
|
| Page: << 1 ... 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 >> |
|