Customer Reviews

Loose

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

 

 

I am a Tele Player and I was lucky enough to see Campilongo play a dozen times at the Paradise Lounge while Jim was still living in SF. After seeing these shows I' wasconvinced he is one of the all-time best Tele players . Loose captures that Paradise Lounge era ( mid to late 90's?) very successfully .Campilongo is one of the true innovative stylist's playing electric guitar today..The important aspect of Jim's playing is his soulfulness and composition as a writer and improviser. That seperates him from the wolf-pack. The whole band is a real treat and Goldman is amazing on this one! This CD is great .

I don't know why another reviewer felt compelled to rank this relative to the Hellecasters. It isn't as if you have to choose between the Hellecasters and Campignola, unless you are headed to a desert island with room for only 1 cd. If you aren't, and you like the Hellecasters, you shouldn't deprive yourself of Campignola. I think the soloing here is exquisite; Campignolo is a master of nuance, tone, taste, and humor. Campignolo is at times reminscent of other guitarists -- Jimmy Bryant, Danny Gatton, Scotty Anderson, Roy Buchanan, and Bill Frisell -- but he has his own distinct style (especially with respect to composition), and I for one think my collection is vastly richer for having discovered his work.

Jim Campilongo is the whole package: His approach to the Fender Telecaster involves incredible facility on the fretboard, a tone that manages to encompass the trademark Tele twang and a thick metallic growl all in one, a great melodic sense, and a good sense of humor. He plays a lot of notes, but his articulation is so good that you don't mind. The only drawback is that the Ten Gallon Cats, while excellent players, have a certain sameness of sound. Don't get me wrong--it's very enjoyable music, but I don't think I could listen to a whole lot of it at one sitting without wanting a change of pace.

Very similar to their self titled release. I'd be surprised if these songs weren't written and recorded amongst the first album. Lots of fun! Jim is a very talented Tele player and Joe Goldmark on the pedal steel is the perfect complement. This is the pedal steel sound of the 90's! Kinda like Brian Setzer meets Speedy West. Come on, Pee Wee's Big Adventure on the steel??? Did I say fun? Buy it.

I think this Sophmore release is stronger then the 1st Cat's release because of it's sonic improvements and great original material."Loose" for the most part sounds like a Cat's live show ( hence the title ). Harlem Nocturne is an absolute must hear that blows the roof off any version I've ever heard ( including Gatton's ) . Campilongo's songwriting seems more mature and he seems to be rattling the cage of Country confines pretty successfully . The title track "Loose" sounds like and Ellington cover and "Above Paradise" sounds like a "Santo and Johny " B-side. "Botro the Robot" sounds like ....well , pure Campilongo and Cat's ! The Les Paul tribute on "Mr Sandman" is one of my favorite guitar solo's of all time and I've used it as a "Campilongo selling track" to people who haven't heard Jim yet. They become Campilongo converts everytime ! If you liked the first cd I think you'll love "Loose".

After the comparisons to the HELLECASTERS I could hardly wait to get my hands on this CD. To compare JIM to the HELLECASTERS is an insult to the HELLECASTERS. If you can buy DANNY GATTON, THE HELLECASTERS, SCOTTY ANDERSON or JOHNNY A, than why would you buy this??? At his best JIM sounds like a two fingered DANNY GATTON on valium. He doesn't have the licks, style or class of the abovementioned guitarists. His playing always sounds limited by a severe lack of technique. His tone is nothing special either and none of his compositions would make it onto either a GATTON ,JOHNNY A or HELLECASTER CD. His solos for the most part rarely lift above noodling of the worst order.He doesn't even noodle very well. My better half screams in protest from the other room "TAKE THAT NOISE OFF". Normally I'd argue with her but here her assessment is spot on, THIS IS NOISE.