Customer Reviews

The Good, the Bad & the Chubby

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Popa Chubby is as much of an entrepreneur as he is a hard working musician. After having a difficult time with various labels, Popa decided to form his own Popa Chubby Productions and started to release his own recordings. Despite the fact that he signed last year with Blind Pig, Popa still maintains his own company and has signed various Brooklyn blues performers such as, Big Ed Sullivan, Arthur Nelson, Mason Casey and a band featuring his wife, Galea. Popa also continues to produce his own CD's for Blind Pig as well as others on the Blind Pig label including, the recent Magic Slim CD "Blue Magic". Also, Popa has landed his own signature guitar, a Korina flying V with P90 pickups, courtesy of Epiphone guitars. Signature guitars are generally reserved for well known stars such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Zack Wilde, Joe Perry, but Popa Chubby?

The CD is enhanced. So when you load it into your computer your screen will immediately switch to a big picture of Popa Chubby looking at you from a broken glass window. You will not be able to use your computer for anything else once this disc is loaded, so if you don't want to stare at a big, imposing, bald man wearing dark sunglasses, while listening to the disc, take it out after watching the video and put it into your CD changer. The video itself is a clip of Popa, in talking head format, with his dark shades and black leather coat, performing "I'll Be There For You". The image will switch from Popa's face to Galea's face and then to scenes of Ian (Spliffy) playing his Soprano Sax near the Brooklyn Bridge. Not something you will want to watch more than once or twice.

The music on the disc is a blues based CD and, in my opinion, is second only to his prior release "How'd A White Boy Get The Blues". On the CD Popa shows a little more versatility as a multi instrumentalist playing, the electric guitar, slide guitar, and harmonica. However, at least three of the tunes, "If The Diesel Don't Get You", "No Trouble No More" and "Passion", stray from the blues formula and are more pop oriented. The CD's highlights are the delta blues "Somebody Let The Devil Out" and the jazz flavored "I'll Be There For You". Incidentally, the rap based "scratchin" is barely audible or noticeable on the various tracks and is in no way a distraction to what is presented. Overall, not a bad release from this really BIG man.

CHUBBY MAKES MY EARS HAPPY I'D LIKE TO SEE A JAM WITH BB CHUNGKING AND THE BUDDAHEADS.

I bought this CD based on hearing one song and still like the one song. His schtick if you will is that he fits neatly in no mold - not blues, not rock, and certainly not hip-hop (though there are some aspirations). The recordings are a bit harsh and I suppose you can blame that on the production. The songs are mostly mediocre. Where he does best is when is stays in the blues-rock idiom and plays accordingly...these leads are where he can shine.

A great singer? No, but he can hold his own.

The right set of songs and the right production crew and I think I would like him better. This album isn't it.

Popa Chubby doesn't let me down in this awesome CD. Particularly like his tribute to the horror of living in New York on 9/11.
Excellent CD for rockers!

OK, we can all agree that Popa Chubby is not Robert Goulet. But then neither is BB, Muddy, Robert etc. Willy Nelson isn't the fourth tenor but I don't read a lot of reviews that point out that he can't do four octaves.
I am mystified that reviews of Popa focus on his vocal skills. Does anyone review Striesand's piano technique? Can Vladamir Horowitz sing?- well no, not now, he's dead.
It seems that folks can't get over the fact that despite the stereotypes, there is at least one white guy who really gets the blues.
Popa got the blues. The first time I saw him play, I thought that it was a trick of lighting that made him look white. Closing my eyes, I could imaginge that BB denied an illegitemate child who listened to rock blues and funk while he grew up. Not knowing his parentage, he didn't know what the boundaries were.
Popa plays guitar. Saying that is like saying Lance Armstrong rides a bicycle.
Popa is a technical virtuoso. More than that, his timing and expression tug at every musical neuron posessed by even the most casual listener.
While it is clearly over the top in the analogy department, complaining that Popa can't sing while ignoring his profound musical talent is sort of like saying you didn't like Sgt Pepper because your vinyl had scratches on it.
Listen to the guitar. Its way so much more than enough. If you need a pretty voice, buy a Carpenter's cd.

How could any good blues people not like this....crude lyrics my ...... this is one of the best i've heard in awhile

I bought this album probably 4-6 months ago. I thought it was ok then but it didn't really stick with me. I've been listening to it more lately and I must say it is a solid blues release. This is not pointless guitar meanderings either. I can see people not liking this but that is not why. really for how skilled a guitarist this guy is(check on youtube etc, he is in fact fantastic) the guitar is pretty understated. I mean it is good but it won't blow your mind and it certainly isnt overdone.

There really arent any bad songs, just none that are phenomenal. dirty lie i heard which is what got me to buy the album. I swear the version I heard was different than the one heard here. either way the one on the album is damn fine, terrific riff, good soloing but not coming close to matching what got me to buy the album.

Stress will kill you every time is my favorite song on the album. It is mainly acoustic humorous lyrics pretty much anyone on earth can relate to on a bad day. Speaking of lyrics I have to say this guy is by far and away the best lyricist in blues. Possibly ever, and that is not a joke. No he isn't bob dylan, the beauty part is he doesnt try to be. There are crude parts in his lyrics, but it is pretty obvious to anyone intelligent that he isnt just doing it for cheap thrills or a quick buck(when you play blues in this day and age a quick buck really doesnt exist anyway), it is more that if it fits the song he is going to put it in and doesn't really care who gets offended, which I love. Original concepts for songs, nothing seems forced, and it flows with and goes with the music. this is music written by an honest man to be listened to by an honest man. He also has a good blues voice to my way of thinking, however I could see some people being turned off by it. personally, I think it is perfect for the type of music, you can get a feel for it with the samples though.

Highlights include somebody let the devil out, stress will kill you every time, and dirty lie. there are no bad songs, but also no great songs. I'm going to check out more of his work when I have money, and would tell anyone reading this probably start with a different album though this is not bad.

I'll keep it brief,if you like Chubby Music (and what's not to like!) you like this CD! Another solid release from this unique musician. By the way Guitar Gods are never out of style!

Disapointing. Crude lyrics, little thought or effort shown here. Had heard good things and expected more. Guitar work above average,
lyrics disturb the flow. Sept 2, 2003 - After listening to several other CDs by Popa Chubby, this review can used for all his work.

Pointless guitar meanderings, poor vocals, no-taste arrangements, and all the subtlety of a flying toaster oven. Hey, Chubby: Guitar heroes are out, soulful blues is in. Pity poor Popa...even his best friends won't tell him he's a cornball. Too bad.