If all adults retained the standard childhood lesson of sharing, the world would be a much more peaceful place. That�s probably why I�ve always admired musicians and writers. Of course, there are individual exceptions, but generally speaking, artists are quite happy and flattered to have their work imitated, interpreted or simply offered a reference point.
Despite Mr. Brewer�s obvious talent in creating his own music, he doesn�t hesitate to pay tribute to other musicians or songs he admires. Included in the originals on this 1990 debut release are the title track, which was also recorded by Carey Bell and Colin James, and �You Wanna Dance�, covered by Long John Baldry. While his own success as a musician has been eclipsed by these higher-profile artists, he continues to write and record as David Brewer & The Intimidators, in 2006, with the release of Absolutely.
Getting back to Bad Habits, though, the disc begins with a fabulous rhythm and blues track called �Ego Trip�, written by Gwendolyn Collins (wife of the late Albert Collins, the legendary bluesman with whom David toured for several years). It features the CD�s Canadian producer Tom Lavin (of the Powder Blues Band) on bass, Jerry Adolf (of Chilliwack) on drums, Mike Kalanj (Powder Blues Band) on Hammond B3 and jazz multi-instrumentalist Bill Runge on horns.
�Must Be Doin� Somethin� Wrong� is my favourite track on the disc. It�s an appealing mid-tempo funk-blues that Dino Valenti could have made a hit with when fronting Quicksilver Messenger Service, as his vocal tone and range were similar to David�s. There�s a subtle B.B. King influence woven into it.
And speaking of B.B., his �Sweet Sixteen� is given a super-sized treatment by the band, particularly on the Hammond B-3 breakout and guitar solos. It makes the original version seem like an acoustic rendition in comparison. This one has alternate drummer Kirk �KT/Spiderman� Tuttle beating the skins and Tony Thomas thumping the bass.
�High Time (We Had a Little Fun)� is an original high-octane Texas swinger that would give ZZ Top a run for its money, and the exhilaratingly hopped-up pace continues with Howlin� Wolf�s �Killing Floor� and the aforementioned �You Wanna Dance� � phew! David�s frantic but tightly controlled guitar playing could set your head spinning here.
The energy level abates only slightly on �Car Broke Down� but slows down to a crawl on the sensually smoldering �Bad Habits�. Female listeners more attuned to Colin James� velvety-smooth vocals might initially find this original version too harsh, as Brewer�s powerful vocals sometimes seem in competition with the intensity of his playing. Having become quite familiar with the otherwise gentle nature of this performer, I am very surprised at the level of raw emotion that he unleashes both from his guitar and lungs.
Chuck Berry�s �Nadine� and his own �Louise� (with a Cajun feel) are also delivered in an equally ferocious manner, but I guess that�s just his preferred style of performing � meaty, beaty, big and bouncy. This is, unapologetically, David Brewer (or at least his �unmanageable� alter ego). |
