But Anyway...it's about time you buy Blues Traveler...
Written: Aug 21 '02
Product Rating:
Pros: Popper's voice and guitar, scant production, great overall songs...
Cons: ...
The Bottom Line: Looking for something refreshing? Invigorating? Intelligent? Creative? Interesting? Endlessly entertaining? Pick up the self-titled debut from Blues Traveler
lambchops's Full Review: Blues Traveler by Blues Traveler
It was with following the release of Four in 1994 that I was first exposed to New York blues/rock band Blues Traveler. Little did I know at the time that the foursome had actually been together for six years and had released three earlier albums.
As a jam band in the same vein as acts like Dave Matthews Band, Phish, and Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Blues Traveler helped to revive a style of music first popular in the 1960’s and 1970’s. This isn’t to say that they are retro. In fact, at the release of their self titled 1990 debut it was imminently clear that Blues Traveler was something innovative, appealing and creative. Unfortunately, they came into being in the midst of the metal revolution and released said debut moments before Seattle took over the music scene.
Blues Traveler is distinctive in both style and substance. Musically, the band is driven by John Popper’s amazing harmonica and vocals. If the band were to lose Popper for whatever reason, they would no longer be complete and they would no longer be able to live up to the standards they themselves set in the 1990’s. Completing the lineup are Brendan Hill on drums, Chan Kinchla on guitar and Bob Sheehan on bass. This foursome remained intact until Sheehan was found dead in his home in 1999 as a direct result of drug use.
Released on A&M in 1990, Blues Traveler was an impressive debut. An effort that the band struggled (sometimes successfully) to replicate on subsequent releases. They were able to come with albums like Four and even the 1997 live release Live From the Fall. But, it is that eponymous debut that remains a fan favorite along with the most critically lauded of their career.
The eleven tracks on Blues Traveler stretch from rock to Chicago blues to pop and to ballad with a hint of everything in between and held together with Popper’s harmonica and perfectly styled vocals. The album could have been too heavily produced (as often occurs with new acts). Fortunately, Justin Neibank’s (who has also worked with Eric Clapton, John Mellencamp, and Bob Seger among others) arrangement, production, and engineering kept Blues Traveler focused and left the loose and raw feel to the songs. This is the element that when combined with the band’s innate talent propels the album to greatness.
Yes, I did just say greatness…
With that said, the one song that most people will recognize is also the first, But Anyway. Of course, don’t limit yourself when listening to the album on the whole. Blues Traveler, as most people should well know, has much more to offer than just one track. Their albums represent entire visions with each track being an integral piece. But Anyway opens up in the band’s typical style with a bluesy rock guitar and Popper’s harmonica. As the song progresses it gains momentum and eventually comes to a frenzied head as driven most notably (as I’ve already mentioned) by Popper’s emotive, wailing vocals.
Blues Traveler continues down the road to musical greatness with Gina…a song relating to a woman (no shocker there) who Popper appears to have let go her own way. He even writes and sings that she could even be reading the liner notes right now. The song feels groovy, free, and open rather than actually recorded in a studio session. This is what is so appealing about Blues Traveler. They never sound manufactured or fake.
Mulling it Over, while not my personal favorite, is nonetheless genuinely creative. The most striking aspect of the song is band’s ability to wander musically with Popper’s harmonica and even the occasional guitar solo. Each of these songs has aged gracefully and sounds just as contemporary and important today as it did twelve years ago. Blues wasn’t exactly popular in a mainstream sense twelve years ago. The same musical appeal still exists whether or not MTV is playing that kind of video.
Another gorgeous, truly lovely song exists in 100 Years. It’s one of the more tender, more widely appealing songs on the disc. At the center of the slow ballad is Popper’s voice…not his virtuoso harmonica. Also notable is the appearance of Joan Osborne (later to be known as a somewhat talented solo artist in her own right) in a supporting role. 100 Years makes you think, love, and yearn for casual afternoons with not a care in the world. This is why it’s hard not to love and appreciate Blues Traveler.
And so the album continues…Dropping Some NYC is another shining example of understated, perfectly produced, expertly executed, utterly appealing Blues Traveler classic. The same can be said about the next track. Crystal Flame is a mid-tempo blues rocker. Popper flexes his harmonica chops and vocal prowess on the tender, yet driving track. Close your eyes, open your mind, relax, and listen to Blues Traveler and most notably John Popper extend their hand and expose their soul to you.
Popper’s harmonica not only supports Slow Change. It also tells a story and is a vital instrument that proves at times even more important than Sheehan’s bass. Sheehan’s aforementioned bass guitar is quite important throughout the song. More so than on some of the other tracks. Joan Osborne once more joins forces with Blues Traveler on the exceptional blues track Warmer Days. Once again, the collaboration is a soaring example of inspired musicianship on the part of the staggeringly talented foursome.
Gotta Get Mean is the song that best represents Blues Traveler as whole. Usually Popper is at the apex, working his magic. In this case, each of the four entities work together and contribute equally to the picture. Not to say that it’s the best song…it’s a good offering but when compared to some of the absolutely awesome tracks it’s not quite seamless.
Delicate, inviting, invigorating, and evocative, Alone is an epic track. At nearly eight minutes, the song tells a musical story. It begins quietly and thoughtfully and eventually progresses with the addition of a wailing blues guitars and Popper’s increasingly energetic vocals and lyrics. You’ve gotta listen to this masterpiece to believe it.
The album wraps up (even the best things have to come to an end, right?) with Sweet Talking Hippie. Popper’s harmonica and voice once again are at the center of the song. While the song isn’t necessarily my favorite, it is still worth a listen. It’s musically adventurous and aurally stimulating. What more could listeners possibly want?
Anyway, if you are familiar with Blues Traveler and have found joy in any of their albums and have yet to experience their self-titled debut it’s way past time to pick this up. The band and most notably Popper are amazingly talented. Their music is unique and it’s rather unfortunate that they didn’t find a wider audience until MTV picked up on Four and until their comrades the Spin Doctors gained a more mainstream audience. I highly recommend that fans of rock, fans of blues, and even passing fans of Blues Traveler pick up this album. It’s most definitely worth a full price purchase. 5/5 stars.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Track Listing:
1. But Anyway
2. Gina
3. Mulling It Over
4. 100 Years
5. Dropping Some NYC
6. Crystal Flame
7. Slow Change
8. Warmer Days
9. Gotta Get Mean
10. Alone
11. Sweet Talking Hippie
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As I already mentioned, this was the band’s debut. Six albums (one was live) followed: Travelers & Thieves (1991), Save His Soul (1993), Four (1994), Live From the Fall (1996), Straight on Till Morning (1997), and released after bassist Sheehan’s death Bridge (2001).
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