Blues Traveler

Blues Traveler | Format: Audio Cassette

Product Details

• Audio Cassette (May 24, 1990)
• Label: A&M
• ASIN: B000002GJ1
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #795,415 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Their 1st and best album., December 17, 1999

By 

M. Pincus "Mac-P" (East Meadow, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blues Traveler (Audio CD)

Don't believe the critic's reviews. This, their 1st album, has a charm that they haven't recreated since. First of all, this one grooves more than all the others combined. Anyone who actually SAW the band play in the early 90's knows just what an amazing live band they are, and this album hints at that more than any other.

"But Anyway" is the single (and the critic's fave), but the segue of "Alone" into "Sweet Talking Hippie" is worth the price of admission alone. "Droppin Some NYC" is a high energy rocker and one of the best tunes they've ever done. "Slow Change" grooves with the one of the coolest bass lines ever to grace their albums. The mellower "100 Years" and "Crystal Flame" capture John Popper at his lyrical & philisophical best.

Late, great bassist Bobby Sheehan is more prominent on this album than on later LP's, and his busy super grooving basslines perfectly compliment drummer Brendan Hill's powerful, driving, super grooves. A "before she was famous" Joan Osbourne supplies vocals on "Warmer Days", and of course this is the album that put harmonica extroadinare John Popper on the map. Guitarist Chan Kinchla is the perfect guitarist for the band and lays back with just enough cool funky rhythms to comliment everything.

Yea, this album isn't produced as much as later ones, and the jams are longer on here, but that's what they were about, and they did it wonderfully. To this day these are some of the songs that get the most applause & passionate fan reaction when they play live.

Put this on in your car and go for a long drive (be careful not to speed!). A true gem.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars this album still rocks after all these years, March 16, 2002

By 

Martin Lemos (Millbrae) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blues Traveler (Audio CD)

I bought BLUES TRAVELER back in the summer of '92 after a friend of mine had me listen to it well kicking back with a few beers. Right off the bat, I was hooked listening to the way John Popper just blew everyone away with his harmonica playing on BUT ANYWAY. That is a killer song that kicks the album off. Out of the 11 songs on the album, the one that just left me kind of wanting was GOTTA GET MEAN. It is not a bad song, it just doesnt measure up with the others so thats the 1 star deduction is for. The song that really stands out here is CRYSTAL FLAME. It is a 9 1/2 min classic rock epic that should be put on a mantel like the other epics like STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN OR FREEBIRD. I think that this album is a good introduction to the band for a new fan or for someone who only knows them by RUNAROUND. Go Out and buy this album know

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Might Be Their Best, November 12, 2002

By 

G. J Wiener (Westchester, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blues Traveler (Audio CD)

Blues Traveler certainly became more mainstream with the Four release with smash singles Hook and Runaround. And Four is certainly a fine record. However, the debut release just might be the best. The band is raw and honest sounding with many spunky and funky jams.

The single, But Anyway may have a catchy structure but the fine guitar and harmonica solos just keep my attention. The streak of great songs just continues. The rapping and catchy lyrics of Mulling It Over makes me chuckle. John Popper is sure thoughtful with his lyrics. 100 Years is a pleasant ballad and Warmer Days is a fine blues number featuring Joan Osbourne on background vocals. And Alone is so captivating with its shifts from slow to fast.

Truthfully there isn't a dull moment on this release. If you were HOOKED on Blues Traveler because of their radio friendly hits, you certainly owe it to yourself to explore the roots of this excellent band.