Customer Reviews

Bad Juju

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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Whenever Suhler came into to town to perform, it always made me wonder afer hearing him why he hadn't come out with that one great album that matches his talents on stage as a blues guitar player. Well, he's finally made it with "Bad Ju Ju". This is a super album which is better produced, and has a lot more variety to it, than his first two CD's. Suhler's playing is outstanding on songs like "Lover's Curse", and "Scattergun", which has some smokin' slide guitar. And "Restless Soul", which he dedicates to the late great Rory Gallagher, and does him great justice here. But it's really the songwriting that does it for me. The three songs I think that stand out are "Evangeline", which is a cajun flavored tune where Suhler goes with acoustic guitar, but with an electric backbeat, along with some great accordian play by special guest Tim Alexander. "Prayin' For Rain", which is the one ballad on the album, and one of the best songs Suhler has written. And "Don't Do It", which has a chug-a-lug type of beat, mixed with cool slide, and background whistling that sounds like it's coming straight out of a Clint Eastwood spaghetti western. This one is simply iressistable. Which is the best way to describe this album. It's a solid cutting edge collection of contemporary blues done with a lot of style.

I've always had a thing for gritty blues/rock, and Jim Suhler captures the essence like a couple of favorites of mine - Stevie Ray Vaughan and George Thorogood. I was instantly reminded of Thorogood, and just as quickly found it impossible to sit still. This is dancing/drinking/shooting pool music at its finest! Jim is not only exceptional as a guitarist, but as a songwriter. This Dallas native was not only "discovered" by George Thorogood, but together with his group Monkey Beat has toured extensively with the Delaware Madman! It seems like a real shame that his voice isn't more known in the world -- Jim definitely has a talent that puts him on a strong par with the other greats, and deserves just as much recognition.

Deja Blue - is the opening track, and it sizzles, well, actually slides! The lyrics are strong and honest, and fit well with the melody. There's nothing quite so horrid as a broken heart, unless perhaps it is the other half acting the martyr needlessly. Sadly, it will take a few times of listening to it before you even really notice the lyrics! The beat is contagious, and this is a prime party track!

Restless Soul - is dedicated to Rory Gallagher (the pioneer of Irish Rock, who died following complications from a liver transplant in 1995). This is a track which shows off some stylin' guitar work with a distinct edge to it. Jim knows his instrument inside and out, as only a master can, and he can make it talk really tough. I haven't heard music this good in a very long time, there are some riffs in here for even the most skeptical and disillusioned blues fan.

The final track - I.O.U. - is a dynamite acoustic piece. This is back to basics blues at its finest. Each note reaches deep inside and pulls forth a corresponding chord from the heart, as Jim teases and finesses the strings to provide the perfect sound. The lyrics are simplistic, which can be a great thing, leaving the focus to land on the music. This disc has been spinning almost non-stop in my player since it arrived, and I've nothing bad to say. There are no weak areas, there are no sour chords, no bad notes, this is simply an incredible disc. If you like the blues and you don't have this one yet, what are you doing sitting there?! This is a MUST HAVE item for any blues collection. Honest.

Review Originally Posted at LinearReflections.com

...that's what I thought when I witnessed Jim Suhler playing with Monkey Beat in a bar a week after getting a fake ID in fall of '92. I'm pushing 30 now, but still a fan of the smokin' slide guitar genius of Mr. Suhler. This is a great cd that captures most of the excitement of the live performance. (You can't actually SEE him run around the bar while still playing the most amazing slide guitar you ever heard while listening to the cd, but that's not his fault)
The production of this album is transparent in that it doesn't pretty up the raw sound that is one of the best blues bands in the bidness, while also maintaining the clarity of being able to hear every instrument. The songs are mostly straight ahead rockers and none rely on goofy blues cliches for subject matter. This is a great cd for driving cross country, but be warned, you will want to drive fast when "Bad Stretch of Road" cues up.
I've seen the band play live several times since that first night, and the guy just keeps getting better. Like most amateur guitar players, my first impulse to seeing Jim play live is to go home and practice practice practice, or just sell my Strat and learn to play the kazoo. I can't play "Restless Soul" yet, but I haven't embarked on my career as a kazoo player, either.
Check out Jim Suhler and his amazing band Monkey Beat and partake of some rockin' blues with a dark edge that dares to sidestep the shadow of SRV and forge ahead with an original vision.

Jim Suhler and Monkey Beat have been playing the jalepeno circuit and beyond for over ten years now. They've toured with Lonesome George Thorogood and the Destroyers as well as many noteable blues festivals through Europe and the US. Now, finally, all of the hard work begins to pay off. After two extrodinary blues-based, Texas roadhouse Rock albums Jim and Monkey Beat have proven that they are coming of age and have produced an album that will boost this band to the next level. This album is an eclectic collection of mostly blues based music with a little bit of influence from all that makes up Texas music. On straight forward blues rock like "Don't Do It" and "Restless Soul" Jim has a tone as fat as anyone in the business today. His rythm section of Carlton Powell and Paul Hollis are also a huge part of Jim's success with funky, infectious rythms and tight sound. On some of his newer stylings Jim shows that his talent and horizons are broadening. Songs like "Deja Blue" with it's Cajun influences and "Shotgun Shack" which is just down right funky, Jim shows that he is ready to step up and become the next Texas guitar hero. This is an album for true music lovers. Whether or not you usually take a chance on new music, if you are looking for something new, this is the one to pick up. Without a doubt, Jim Suhler and Monkey Beat are the next big thing out of Texas.

What a pleasure when you don't know what to expect and it exceeds all your expectations. Thanks to all the reviewers who convinced me to buy this CD. Blues doesn't get much better than this. Think GEORGE THOROGOOD with a turbo charger. This is like a CD of the best THOROGOOD material, except it is written and played by a far supirior guitarist/songwriter. The guitar playing is original and great. Always tasteful and full of surprises. Jim's voice is excellent and the songs are infectious. Where THOROGOOD has a handful of classics and a lot of mediocre fillers, this is consistenly first class and has no obvious fillers. If this doesn't make you dance, check your pulse as you may be dead. ( the most likely reason )
I will now have to buy the rest of his releases, boy this website can cost you some serious money, but what value if you consider pleasure for money and the thrill of discovery.

A super effort by Mr. Suhler and Monkey Beat. An eclectic cd to be sure...a little cajun style..some sit down blues but best of all...Restless Soul and Scattergun....if you could wear out a cd by playing it over and over I'd be on my 100th copy. You could do a lot worse but if you like hard drivin rock/blues you can't do much better.

this guy can flat play his guitar

This was my first time listening to Jim Suhler, wish that I had heard of him a long time ago! Solid blues-rock cd, not a bad cut on the whole cd. Do yourself a favor and pick this up!

Fans of ZZ Top, SRV , AC/DC, George Thorogood will dig this CD. It has elements of the aforementioned bands plus a Cajun/Tex-Mex feel to the songs. From boogie numbers like "Restless Soul" , after hours blues "Sure As The Sun Rises", Louisiana sound of "Evangeline" to the heavy guitar crunch of "Under The Gun", this bands paints with a wide pallette and lots of colors....and does not forget to rock. Great songs!

...all I'm gonna say is this is simply one of the best blues/rock albums ever. Period. More people need to know who Jim Suhler and Monkey Beat are. Buy this then find them live...you won't be disappointed.