Customer Reviews

Straight on Till Morning

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm not a "die-hard" Blues Traveler fan. My first album was Four and I think this one beats it hands down. I don't listen to it all the time, but when I'm in the mood for it, nothing else can take its place.

Carolina Blues, Felicia, Canadian Rose, Yours--these are all terrific songs. And the album fits together as a whole wonderfully. This is a great driving album, or for just listening around the home.

It also helps that I happen to really like the color blue.

Of the two BT albums I have as of this writing, this is the one I keep coming back to. I think that says a lot. It's too bad that this one didn't get the mainstream attention that Four did, because it is by far the superior piece of work.

On behalf of all the true BT fans out there, I would say the band is the tightest instrumentally on this CD than any of their previous efforts. It seems that the self-proclaimimg BT fans who jumped on the wagon with the release of "Four" are quick to categorize "Straight On 'Til Morning" as sell-out pop and nothing new. But what they fail to realize and understand is that this band is not so concerned with reinventing themselves as they are with putting out harmonious music, which turns into an improvisational jam at the drop of a dime. That is their trademark. There are not too many bands that can touch the consistency and raw talent comprising BT. These cool cats bottled it up in this CD. Try "Great Big World" and some new sounds in "Felicia" and "Yours".

I reviewed this CD a while back and gave it three stars. Mostly because only three or four songs seemed to stand out. These are Psych Joe, Most Precarious, Make My Way, and Caroline Blues. Somehow over the course of time, I have found myself playing this CD a good deal. And I have discovered a few more desireable tracks such as the tender ballad Yours and the spunky The Gunfighter. Yes, the album has more pop flavorings than their earlier work, but hey you know sometimes a band has got to grow. And the rock n roll sound is still front and center. Therefore, I see this Blues Traveler CD and raise to a solid four stars.

I have been a big Blues Traveler fan for five years, and though Four was my first album, I can't help but be a big fan.Alot of people criticise John Popper and his boys about "Straight On Till Morning", and claim that BT turned their back on their well known rock and so-called "boogie woogie" sound, and sold out to pop music.Well, in case those people didn't know, pop music has become a powerfull force in music. Phil Collins, Will Smith, Lionel Richie, and Eric Clapton are other artists who are known for other styles of music,yet have added pop to their music,which has helped them get better,and BT is no different.Plus, all those other artists have their own style to go with their pop sound, and Blues Traveler still has the same rock and blues sound on S.O.T.M. that they have been known for and have carried on all the previous albums. I can't wait untill they make another album. To John,Bob,Chan,and Brendan:God bless you guys.You really have prooven that you are for real,I hope you will make another album,because I really enjoy your music.I will always be a fan of yours, and you'll go down as one of the greatest bands of all time.Sincerely, your fan forever, John Wavada.P.S. To John Popper:Alot of people forget to realize that you play guitar too, and I say shame on anyone who criticized you for barely picking up your harmonica on S.O.T.M. .You really are a great, double talented musician. To the other members of BT, don't think I haven't noticed your talent. You guys deserve alot more credit than some people give you, so to Bob Sheehan,Chan Kinchla, and Brendan Hill: You guys have put together one of my favorite bands in the world. You relly know how to put someone in a good mood. My favorite songs so far are "The mountains win again", "Look around", "Just wait", "Run around", "Crash burn", "But anyway", "Gina", "Carolina blues", and "Canadian Rose".

This is an awesome follow up to Four. SOTM continues the jam stylings of Stand, Fallible, Freedom and Crash Burn. It shows the evolution of the band and continues in the tradition of their famed blues-rock stylings. SOTM/Blues Traveler have been given a hard time about so called "selling out". However, I find no fault in creating an album that people want to listen to. They don't comprimise their style, but explore it deeper. This album is something that should be in the CD changer of anyone who really enjoys good, talent soaked music. Buy it, quick...

O.K. I admit that I didn't have the album when I gave my review, but I have a copy, and I listen to it, repeatedly. Canadian Rose is still good, and Carolina Blues is perfect when you want to imagine you're playing air guitar. Now, Felicia is a wonderful tune that expresses a mans feelings for a woman, mostly because of how she dances. Psycho Joe is a, soon to be, classic rock tune that prooves Blues Traveler can rock, and Yours, well, Yours would have to be one of the main hits on this album, the strings are gourgeous, the squeaks are wonderful, the guitars are phat, and I agree that this is the best song Johnny Popper ever wrote. You guys kick a**, keep doing what you're doing, please release another album, and please, please, pleeeeeeeease, make another music video.

Feel good blues? Who would've thought it could be done except from the four guys from Priceton, NJ who have written this dynamic and energic recording about how things are and what they should be. A powerful range of quality, intelligent jams, and as well as "jam melodoles" that bring the four members together in a cohesive unit that releash their feelings of love, insecurity, fear, pain, and passion for life in song. John Popper has said that "YOURS" is the best song he has ever written.

Is difficult to choose what of their albums is better than the others, but "Straight on till morning" is in my opinion the best album of this incredible guys. The songs are very well composed, lirically and musically. The rhythm section is solid as always with more blues inspired solos courtesy of John and Chad. The drums and bass are great too and of course the harp attack in every song!!! Recommended!!!

Well if your looking for something quiet and soulfull FORGET THIS ONE. This is some serious hard crankin harp driven blues/rock. So what do get for your hard earned? In John Popper, the best harpist today bar none (yes including Musselwhite), with a great band backing him who have obviously seen the odd stage or 2000. Add to that some seriously good lyrical ability with all the depth and quirkiness of say a John Hiatt (now there's a wrap). What more can I add, I have all the BT CD's & this is difinitive. Like this, get the lot. Will always be a favorite of mine. Got a long drive ahead, this is a must, it can save your life.
Highlights are Canadian Rose, Psycho Joe and Most Precarious.

Who says this is more mainstream? "Most Precarious" aside, it's definitely a less 'poppy' album than Four. Musically the songs aren't extremely different from past albums, but the band sneaks in more twists and turns than meets the ear: hyper harmonica solos slide up and down the scales, the guitars are forceful but not overwhelming, and the tight rhythm section underpins everything just the way they're needed.

With words, Popper is getting better than ever; if you can forgive him for the awful "Yours," he more than redeems himself lyrically with "Battle of Someone," "Felicia" and "Justify the Thrill" (which also has some of Sheehan's slinkiest bass playing on record). Like the lyrics of Mark Knopfler or Bruce Hornsby, stories, vignettes, little slices of life find their way into every song. And, in a radical departure from mainstream tradition, most of it has a positive message (check "The Gunfighter" and "Make My Way"). There's more to this band than "Run-Around;" why not dig a little deeper?