Watch You When You Go

Roomful Of Blues | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 12, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Bullseye Blues
• ASIN: B00005KBAB
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,554 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

This legendary blues-jam band is rolling past three decades now, and this fiery swinging collection is one of their most powerful and varied recordings ever. In addition to the "Tower of Power on speed" energies that have earned them various awards, critical accolades, and a devoted following, this collection boasts dashes of funk, soul, the inimitable saxman Rich Lataille, and the crisp guitar excitement of Chris Vachon. At the forefront is the raspy vocal believability of Mac Odom. It's always interesting how the best blues bands can make songs of despair sound so joyous, but Roomful of Blues also takes a few more wistful looks at romance. The feisty opener "Roll Me Over" is about finding ways to keep the dying flame from burning out completely; Vachon's wailing solo punctuates the energy the "protagonist" puts into the effort. "Love to Watch You When You Go" has a blast watching a lover strut out the door. The punchy rocker "The Salt of My Tears" is about the most cheerful song about loneliness you'll ever hear. "Your Love Was Never There" captures the classic Stax soul sound beautifully, while "Wait and See" has a little boogie-woogie element. The closer, "Where's Bubba?," is original but sounds like a sly cover of any sassy big-band number ever written. -All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Blues!, June 29, 2001

By 

deepbluereview "deepbluereview" (SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Watch You When You Go (Audio CD)

I was somewhat curious as to what this band would sound like after its recent transformation following the departure of harpist and vocalist Sugar Ray Norcia.

I was pleased to find that despite numerous personnel changes, both recent and over the years, the band really has not lost that hard driving edge that has become their trade mark.

While Nocia's harp is missed on the disc, veteran Mac Odom more than compensates for Nocia's vocal absense and has competently answered the call from the bands opening number "Roll Me Over" right through "Wait and See". Also, Chris Vachon, a constant in the band over the last several years, continues his excellent guitar work throughout this CD and in particular on the instrumental "BackLash". Finally, while the horn section has also undergone a slight personnel change, the band continues its trend of swinging, jazzy blues.

Like, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, this band keeps rolling along and producing enjoyable tunes despite key personnel changes. As usual, there are no surprises here, just good, solid, horn laden blues.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Big Blues Sound, November 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Watch You When You Go (Audio CD)

How anyone can give this band or this album one star is stunning. These guys are as much "Roomful" as ever, and still have that huge blues sound. Mac Odom's voice is rich and powerful - a fantastic addition. I also strongly suggest everyone check out their cd, "There Goes the Neighborhood." Both cds swing so hard, you'll fall off your chair.

2.0 out of 5 stars Mostly B material from an A grade band..., April 17, 2011

By 

Admit One (Pasadena, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Watch You When You Go (Audio CD)

If there were no other Roomful of Blues releases to compare this to WYWYG this CD might fair better, but as it stands, it sounds like B side material to me. There are couple of moments where you can smell smoke but for the most part, I was disappointed. I agree with a previous reviewer in the lead singer has a voice you either love or hate. For me it's his vocals that drag the CD down to what sounds like a better than average bar room band not the wicked engine of "Under One Roof", "There Goes the Neighborhood" or "Turn It Up!". To be fair, Odom has his moments (Your Love Was Never There), but over all his efforts were a miss for me. Some of the horn arrangements are just average too.

Hoping for a little more octane in the future...