Customer Reviews

Blues Traveler

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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

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.

One of the things that distinguishes a true musician from the average hack is that with a true musician, the instrument becomes invisible to the listener - you forget the musician is having to physically do something because they appear to be able to communicate anything they hear in their head to your ears without any effort. I've had that feeling watching Eric Clapton and SRV play guitar and I get that feeling listening to John Popper play harmonica on this album. His playing is so fluid and dynamic you will forget on most tracks that he's actually playing harmonica.

What really puts this album over the top is Popper's harmonica playing with the rest of the band's tight rythm, the sparkling production (this album JUMPS out of the speakers with the same spaciousness and presence as Who's Next), and the songwriting/lyrics. One of my favorite lyrics from Slow Change:

Well fear not, for my fear soon turns to anger / As I watch my world get ruined by a pristine hand / I said I'm out here, saying "Excuse me" like a stranger / Cuz I never did learn how to say "Isn't this grand?" /

Although Blues Traveler has a reputation as a "jam band" in the vein of the Dead, Phish, etc. the songs on this album all seem to be the perfect length. Songs like 100 Years and Dropping Some NYC make their point and stay short and sweet. The longer songs like Crystal Flame and Alone take more time but the material still seems to fit perfectly in the space - you won't be checking your watch.

In summary, a great album with incredible material which gets better with repeated listenings. Certainly one of the top 2 or 3 albums released in the 1990s and well up the all-time list.

Blues Traveler could have called this album "Live from the Studio." That's how much energy there is on this album. The only thing missing is screaming and applause from thousands of fans. With their debut album, Blues Traveler has successfully captured the energy and thrust of a live performance. The excitement of the musicians on this album is outstanding. John Popper's harmonica work is extraordinary. The ensemble is tight and always playing together collaboratively. The other members are always playing off of the soloist. This album is outstanding. If it doesn't get at least get your foot tapping, (If not dancing about with abandon) I'm not sure that anything else could.

Easily the best Blues Traveler album. They have soul and depth on this their first album that is lost as they produce more albums. If you are a fan of BT because of their songs on the radio, you may find this not to your liking as it is not TOP 40-mass appeal slop.

This over all is a perfect cd, with upbeat beats and as always with Blues Traveler good vocals. this cd is a cd you can put into the cd player and just listen, and you never lose interest. trust me you will find yourself listening and tapping your foot to the beat. If you like jazzy music and unique voice this cd is worth the money. A very talented bunch of guys!! The songs that stand out for me are "But anyway", "100 years" is also good and alittle more mellow same for "Crystal Flame" this song is very long at 9:39sec. But like I said you never lose interest. The type of music that would sound wonderfull in a high quality system. Enjoy

Once, maybe twice a year I'll hear a song on the radio that will absolutely stop me in my tracks. Blues traveler's "But Anyway" is such a song. I was at work, the radio was tuned to WXRT here in Chicago and suddenly I heard a harmonica so unlike any other I had ever heard that I stopped everything I was doing to listen to see if it was really a harmonica or a synth.

One of the most maligned harmonica players of our generation, John Popper plays like a man possessed, incorporating lightning fast runs across a mosiac of music seamlessly crafted by his band. What Jimi Hendrix did for the guitar, John Popper is going to do for the harmonica. This debut album by Blues Traveler gives an inkling of what is to come. In addition to the aforementioned single, the rest of the albums gives hint to the band's ability to go into long jams. After attending several of their concerts, I'd say that this masterwork album doesn't do the band justice.

This is definitely a must-have album and if you're a harmonica player, you'd be a fool not to at least attempt Popper's amazing speed runs. They are one of the directions that modern harmonica playing is going to take.

I will save my strength and just say that I agree with everything mac-p said, you can trust his opinion on this.

What I expected. Solid raw beginnings of a young talented group.
If anything, the 'moothie' dominated just a bit too much, but enjoyed the early sound.