Customer Reviews

Tell 'Em What Your Name Is! [Vinyl]

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Hehhhh! Something great has been brewing over the last couple of years. Funky, gutbucket soul music is back! Not the canned, overblown, and ersatz junk you hear on TV singing contests and sitcoms but true 60's style R&B. Sharon Jones, Amy Winehouse (yes, Amy Winehouse-she used Sharon Jones' backing band on Back to Black), and Raphael Saadiq are all doing their part to resurrect soul. And now Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears have stepped up to the plate.

Tell `Em What Your Name Is! is a gritty, storming, high energy debut album. Black Joe Lewis sings like James Brown and the Honeybears have that classic bass-and-horn driven Stax sound. That's right, it's like the Godfather of Soul fronting the Mar-Keys or Booker T. & the MGs. Talk about two great things that go great together--forget Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!

If that doesn't mean anything to you, just listen to the samples. You'll be up and on your feet dancing in no time. Then, check out some JB and Stax cuts and you'll see what I'm talkin' about.

Now then, back to the album. It's pretty much funky soul all the way through, with a few blues tunes, including a Yardbirds style rave up and a Fat Possum-like Mississippi hill country droner, tossed in for good measure. Black Joe and the band play loud and hard on every track...don't go looking for any slow jams on this platter. The only real flaws are that the running time is kind of short and the music seems to have been mixed for iPod and computer listening, with every element of the music placed way upfront. These are minor quibbles, however, and don't take much away from what is a fun and enjoyable record.

Bottom line: both old school and newer soul/R&B fans will dig this album. Strongly recommended.


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This disc made me think of these...
It's Great When You're Straight...Yeah: Happy Mondays + Stax = Memphchester
What It Is!: cool box set of obscure and rare soul cuts

It is impossible to listen to this album and not want to dance around. There should be a warning on this album not to listen to it in the car, because I can't really contain myself. I haven't seen such energy and such a fun performer in many years. Black Joe and the Honeybears are a strange mix of funk, soul and rock and roll. I think the reviews call this "garage funk" or "garage soul" and that seems pretty accurate.

My favorite song from the album is "I'm Broke". I can't get the song out of my head, but it's not a bad thing. But "Sugarfoot" is a close second. I absolutely love the horns. There really isn't a bad song anywhere on the album.

It is ridiculous to think that this is the first record from this guy. The music is raw, high-energy and will absolutely make it impossible for you to stay in your seat.

I went to see Mates Of State in Dallas, TX and Black Joe Lewis was opening for them. I enjoyed them so much, I just HAD to have physical copy of their music and went and bought a CD after the show (something I rarely do).

This band is extremely funky and talented. The use of horns and 'James Brown' style of singing makes Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears a truly enjoyable experience.

I plan on seeing them every time they come to town, and I HIGHLY recommend you do the same.

This album will not let you sit still. It's ten tracks of drums- / bass- / guitar- / horns-driven, joyous, gritty, garage-punk funk, fronted by a reborn, mouthy, self-aware James Brown. It's urban, tight, fast, funny, catchy, and a delight from start to finish.

Great CD! Rockin kickin fun sound. If you like Rolling Stones, Albert Collins, Robert Cray -- this is for you. It's old school, but with a fresh new voice. It's a high-pitched, highly compressed voice, but it's unique. Can't but close my eyes and imagine how awesome it would be to see these guys in a small club in New Orleans or Chicago.

Most products can garner a four or five star rating with simple things. Music is different. I think these guys have infinite potential. This album wreaks of James Brown. There are obvious other influences but they are overpowered by the "good foot" vocals and horns that would make J.B. proud. It may also piss him off on some occassions. I agree with one of the previous statements that most great albums take you on a ride that changes sound and offers changes in rhythm, lyrics and tone. This one starts and ends the same way. Its feverish and very sophomoric but infectious and groovy at the same time. You will enjoy it and then become bored with the lack of versatility. Eventually you will play the four or five songs that personnify the album for you and keep the rest on the shelf.

These guys get tons of radio play here & I picked this up before seeing them live. They're a James Brown inspired band with great lyrics & beats that just put a smile on your face. A throwback band with modern offerings, these guys really rock it out!

I don't like a lot of the newer music today... I'm sort of a retro music fan. I love classic R&B, Soul, and Funk. I got this CD without knowing anything about Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears... honestly, I liked the name of the group so I thought I'd give it a try! I lucked out - because this is a fun, dance-along, high-energy CD that feels like the older music I love.

Black Joe Lewis reminds me of James Brown, and the sound is sort of bluesy...but up-tempo. I love the horns, I love the beat, I love the vocals... I would love to see this group live.

There are only 10 tracks and they really fly by way too fast. But it's great fun for driving with the windows down, or dancing, or (okay, I know, I'm middle-aged) cleaning the house to.

This album is a heck of a lot of fun to listen to. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears do a very admirable job recalling the classic funk-infused & horn driven R&B records of the 60's. Like other reviewers, I find their style very reminiscent of the great James Brown, even down to Mr. Lewis' powerful & highly-energetic vocals. At only 30 minutes in length, the only real fault I found with this album was it left me wanting more when it was over. Do yourself a favor, get this CD & travel back in time with this collection of what [...] called "hip-shaking old-school groove". Highly recommended.

Excellent debut album. Great music, horns/guitar, funny lyrics, and a powerful voice with a twinge of James Brown. There is alot of rather generic blues coming out lately, but this is definitely something different.