Customer Reviews

Extremely Cool

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

We have heard his name before in the many early tracks by the amazing Tom Waits, and here we are introduced to the mysterious man, who goes by the intriguing name of Chuck E. Weiss. If you enjoy listening to good music, and have fancied calling yourself a fan of Tom Waits, then it would be a great injustice to not add this disc to your collection. It is, if not anything else, extremely interesting to see the other sides of music, the sounds and influences of the greats, including Willie Dixon. A perfect an approachable collection of songs, a touch of the wild, found in such artists as Tom Waits himself and Captain Beefheart, and yet there are the jazzy less savage tracks that you find yourself bound to. There is a cleverness here, something that can be related to, classy sounds with great beats, lyrics, and song structures. The vocals too are performed with a mastery we rarely see, and should be rejoicing to recieve in such an enticing a list of songs, and a Tom Waits collaboration to boot. A fatatic range of sounds and songs, an album to buy and appreciate.

Chuck E. Weiss can boast amazing credentials. Back in the 60s, he toured with Lightnin' Hopkins as a drummer. He later performed or recorded with Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon. During the 70s, he lived in Hollywood's famed Tropicana Motel, which was home to his best friend, Tom Waits. In fact, he is immortalized in a Waits song - "Jitterbug Boy (Sharing a Curbstone With Chuck E. Weiss, Robert Marchese, Paul Body and The Mug and Artie)" on the Spare Change album.

This is Chuck E. Weiss's second album (the other was back in 1981). The line-up of supporting musicians and guests is impressive, including Tom Waits and Tony Gilkyson (Lone Justice, X). The album is strong from start to finish, and conjures the same sort of film-noir, gutter-room images and characters as mid-70s Tom Waits.

The first song - "Devil With Blue Suede Shoes" - is a bluesy, swampy, devil-chasin' rocker that kicks like a rodeo bull. The following track - "Deeply Sorry" - is laced with burlesque horns and some very twisted lyrics. These tracks are the true standouts on this fine album. Let's hope Weiss finds his way back into the studio a little more quickly next time.

Picture yourself on a warm humid night in the corner booth of a dimly lit bar in the French Quarter with your arm around your baby and the rest of your troubled life ahead of you. As good as this is ... Chuck E. makes it better.

After years of Tom Waits being my favorite artist, when I saw an album by Chuck E., I of course had to hear it. I wasn't disappointed. It's a damn fun disc, and I'm sayin' this after repeated listenings. I hope he does another.. Great job Chuck, (you too, Tom and the others involved) I recommend this to all Waits fans and other non-mainstream listeners. In contrast to Tom, Chuck E. doesn't show a "serious side" here, not that I'd want him to. Tom's lastest, "Mule Variations" is in my opinion easily his most "mature" effort, showing that he has embraced the home life with Kathleen & family and I'm happy for him, he sure as hell deserves it. I gotta say, I do miss the "Blue Valentines"- "Foreign Affairs" restlessness and the incredible "Rain Dogs" "Frank's trilogy" era, but I would rather see the man happy, in love, & taking care of himself than to have him down and out just to create edgy, hobo tunes just to please me. I may be playin' Chuck E.'s cd more often than Mule Variations but hey, who the hell am I to say? I can't critique T. W., he's the soundtrack to my life! Tom And Chuck E.- You guys are Both "Extremely Cool."

Extremely cool to say the least. Compare it to Tom Waits? Well for a start there a lot more of Tom to dig and it depends entirely upon the genre of the Waits' album you're making the comparison with. Closing Time, Nighthawks at the Diner, Heart of Saturday Night are jazz albums entirely unlike Extremely Cool in anyway and therefore irrvevlant to comparison. Albums such as On the Nickel, Bone Machine, Rain Dogs and Foreign Affairs have got a lot more in common.
Chuck E. Weiss and Tom Waits are both unbelievable cool artists.
Buy their stuff. Buy it now. It will blow your mind, baby.

Chuck E. Weiss. Go figure. Out of the urban mix of SoCal he brings a Brooklyn sensitivity and the attitude only a Jewish mother could love. The CD kicks out the jams from the word go go go. Chuck E. Weiss has lived these songs and it shows. The duets with Tom Waits are excellent and the entire CD is like a must have. Extremely Cool is...

Chuck E. Weiss is the last of the original hepcats. With so many pretenders coming out of the woodwork (and damn good ones, too) it's great to see Chuck get his due. Even after his major label debut, Chuck can still be found playing the L.A. coffeehouses for tips. He has no choice, this is what he does. While others are primping for their videos, Chuck is out back smoking a cig and showing off a 1900's bass drum he found somewhere. Chuck didn't assume the style because it is in, it's truly the life he lives. This album is a great cross section of Chuck's music, and the production shows some wonderful Tom Waits traits. But don't think Chuck picked up the act from Tom, it's the other way around. Chuck has a trunkful of other great tunes, one can only hope that this is the beginning of a series of albums. From his dead man's shoes to his two tone car, here's hoping for more of Mr. Extremely Cool.

This is one *entertaining* CD. If it doesn't make you laugh, or at least smile several times while listening to it, then you may be humor-challenged. The musical talent of the musicians on the pieces is obvious and the extremely funny lyrics are not to be missed. I love this CD.

I told one of my friends about this great new album that I had bought, by this guy Chuck E. Weiss... I was trying to think of words adequate to describe the album, when into my head popped the words "extremely cool". Only after I described it this way to my friend did I remember that that's actually the name of the album.

Stumbled upon this artist by accident. Voice & rythem Sounds Great. kind of grows on you. ChuckE - your fans await your next release!