| CD REVIEW |
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| TALES OF SIN & REDEMPTION - TOO SLIM & THE TAILDRAGGERS (continued from previous page) |
| Not all the songs are about regret, guilt and fear of retribution, although these sentiments are expressed quite vividly on the Robert Johnson/C.C.R.-inspired "Mississippi Moon" - "�.hellhounds runnin', hot after my tail, on a moonlit night on the swamp with the snakes and the alligators", where God ultimately triumphs in the demonic fight for his soul. The guitar-explosive "Soul Perspective", owing a lot, instrumentally, to Robin Trower's "Day of the Eagle", although not vocally, describes his determination to overcome negative forces, as also evidenced on "Missed That Train". Rather than berate himself too much for his weaknesses for alcohol and women, as heard on the radio-friendly country-rock slide guitar of "Brown Bottle Rock", the double-entendre of "Broad Minded", featuring their trademark sultry blues signature, or the slinky rockabilly edge of "Some Kinda Momma", Too Slim rejoices in these celebratory vices. Maybe he's not quite ready to be saved yet! The nostalgic, but overly-long "Wish I Was Fishin'" and "Oven Burnin' Woman" are funk-blues-jazz-rock mixtures, the latter offering a sensual analogy to wood-chopping not unlike blues-harper David Rotundo's "Can I Come In Your Kitchen" (from Blues Ignited), which gives a new meaning to "cooking"! "Flatback Flathead", a slide guitar scorcher with a driving beat, is the requisite "car song". It's right up there with Deep Purple's "Highway Star", David Lindley's "Mercury Blues" or Golden Earrings' "Radar Love", although it sounds like he's getting stiff competition from this vehicle where his lady is concerned! The CD closer is an excellent smooth-jazz instrumental showcase that reinforces the tightness they have accomplished as a team, as well as displaying the tremendous individual talents of these three musicians. Highly acclaimed for their live performances in the Pacific Northwest and in several European countries, including repeat tours of Norway, Too Slim & The Taildraggers are bound to be moseying through your town eventually. When they do, lock up your daughters, mama, 'cuz you'll wanna be there first! |
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