Customer Reviews

High Humidity

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

 

 

Probably the hardest thing a band can go through is replacing the lead vocalist. Only a few groups have had some success with this - Van Halen, Chicago and Bad Company. And usually there are the die-hards that remain faithful to the original line-up and dismiss the band. In this case, the lead singer is not Jimmy Hall - and Jimmy had a very distinct vocal style and sound - he's probably one of the best Southern style vocalists around. The vocalist here has a very New Orleans (or cajun) sound - and while he's not Jimmy - he doesn't pretend to be him either. He does a very capable job with the material. The recording quality/mixing is very good and the audience is not over-bearing. Most important, it's great to hear the band get out and perform once again. I would have given the album 5 stars but 3 key songs (in my eyes) are missing - "Weekend", "Make You Feel Love Again" and "Rainman" (by Michael Duke). The last two songs from the fantastic "Manorisms" album. With the current release of Wet Willie's Epic Record albums on a single disc - that's probably the better route to go. But I must say that this is a very good release and would definitely hunt it down, especially on the used market!

THE WET WILLIE BAND-HIGH HUMIDITY: Many of the greatest acts in rock & roll are literally defined by their frontman. Imagine if you can, the mighty J. GEILS BAND minus PETER WOLF; they tried it for one crash-and-burn album and it wasn't pretty, folks. An apt comparison is the so called WET WILLIE BAND, who are rudderless on this live outing without sassy soul preacher JIMMY HALL, a triple threat talent on lead vocals, sax, and blues harp. Although siblings JACK and DONNA HALL are still present on bass and righteous backing vocals, along with a couple of other legit WET WILLIE members, it just don't mean a thang if it ain't got the "twang". New guitarist/singer RIC SEYMOUR can't hope to compete with the master on funky classics STREET CORNER SERENADE, LEONA and KEEP ON SMILIN', meaning they come off like nothing more than a competent bar band, which is undoubtedly what they would have remained without HALL's flash and riveting persona in the first place. Incidentally, when he's not makin' magic with the likes of DICKY BETTS and TOMMY CASTRO, JIMMY HALL still performs with WET WILLIE on occasion...but without him, there's no mo' mojo. If you wanna hear what these cats could accomplish on a stage in their hey-day, stick with DRIPPIN' WET LIVE or LEFT COAST LIVE. This version of the group is "all wet".

RATING: ONE DRIP

The lead singer's voice is not as full as Jimmy's voice, they play the songs a little faster than normal. Jimmy's southern drawl just makes the music sound better, when he sings. I have seen the original band in concert with a horn section and the willettes as the backing vocals' and the concert was done right after they did their last record album. For me being a hard core fan of Wet Willie and if you are a hard core fan of Wet Willie.I DO NOT recommend this CD highly.It's not worth it.

I loved Wet Willie as a kid and I love them just as much today. What an awesome album to groove to! Honestly, I was having a "grouchy" day when I first got this CD, but within minutes after putting it in the CD player I was smiling and dancing to the music. Highly recommend!

..But the Wet Willie BAND!!Watch Out!!This is not the original line up and since misses the 2 key member of the Original band(The GREAT Jimmy Hall and Rick Hirsh)this combo doesn't completely deserves to carry that name...
Anyway a good & Wet & Hot live show with a lead singer that's only a pale imitiation of the unfoegettable Jimmy..
For fan and completist only...
Keep on Smilin'!!!

CDs do wear out. I bought my first High Humidity CD a couple of years ago and played it so much, in so many different CD players that it started skipping a little so I bought another one in May 08. It's great travelin' music as well as good party jamms. FIVE STARS!

This band is still performing in the US and putting on big gigs just like vintage Wet Willie. I just saw the band perform last Friday in Mobile, AL at the Angel Ride concert along with the current Marshall Tucker Band. Thay had Jimmy Hall with them but the gig still would have been great with Ric Seymour on lead vocals.

This band can rock without Jimmy! I had to hear it to be a believer but with so many original members (Bass great Jack Hall,Williette and sis Donna Hall,John Anthony and T.K.) this high energy live disk proves that singer Ric Seymour has a powerful soul-filled voice that fits perfectly with this 70's classic funk band. You'll find great versions of old favs! Overall performance and sound is great. The horns are a cool bonus too! Buy two copies- you'll want to keep one and turn a friend on with the other.

I received a copy of this CD as a gift and have listened to it non stop, I have since bought 3 more copies for gifts. (What a GREAT stocking stuffer!!) The vocals are great, the band is awsome and the horn section really gives you a treat. The song selection is all the favorites, you can certainly sing along...

When can we expect more??

It is great to know that these guys are still kickin' out the funky R&B after all these years. I was actually at this recorded performance in New Orleans (it was a while ago...) and I was a little shocked to find out that Jimmy Hall was not with the band. As soon as they kicked into the first tune, I knew that it was all Wet Willie. They had the crowd in the palm of their hands, and it shows on this CD. I hope that they put out a studio CD, with, or without Jimmy, cause this band has a lot more to offer.

Sorry, but if it ain't got Jimmy Hall, it ain't Wet Willie!!!