Why Dontcha

West Bruce & Laing | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 1, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sbme Special Mkts.
• ASIN: B0012GN422
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,095 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Why Dontcha?

2. Out into the Fields

3. The Doctor

4. Turn Me Over

5. Third Degree

6. Shake Ma Thing (Rollin' Jack)

7. While You Sleep

8. Pleasure

9. Love Is Worth the Blues

10. Pollution Woman

Editorial Reviews

Includes a Booklet with Authoritative and Extensive Liner Notes by Chris Welch. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A message for rock and roll bass players:, March 2, 2001

By 

Dana (Santa Monica, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why Dontcha (Audio CD)

I got this album when it first came out when I was a kid in '72, and the artistry and command of Jack Bruce's bass playing on "Why Dont'cha" was so compelling, that it completely transformed the way I thought of rock and roll bass playing and the way I saw the role of the instrument overall. For a bass player like myself, the album is a showcase of the amazing possibilities that the instrument has to offer. Listen closely to the kinetic urgency of Bruce's bass line in "Pollution Woman" or the complex counterpointing bottom that drives the title track "Why Dont'cha" and you'll be hooked by the work of a virtuoso instrumentalist playing at the top of his game. Despite the three decades that have passed since the album's release, very few rock bassists have even approached the level of mastery that Jack Bruce displayed in "Why Dont'cha?". Every time I hear the album, I catch a new instrumental phrase or recognize some different aspect of Bruce's technique that I had never heard before; as a result, I've never stopped listening. If you love great electric bass playing as much as I do, you'll find that Jack Bruce's heartfelt bass work on "Why Dont'cha?" is something very rare and very special.

41 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bruce Keeps the Cream Hot, January 27, 2002

By 

Michael Sherrer (Sherman Oaks, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why Dontcha (Audio CD)

Tiring of a virtuoso drummer/band leader- like Ginger Baker, Jack and Leslie brought on the former Mountain drummer, Corky Laing into the trio almost as a session player. There was rumour he was just paid on a small weekly salary-which left the control to Jack Bruce and Leslie West, juggernauts of the blues humbucker Gibson- guitar and bass. Jack is using; fresh from his work with Cream; his Gibson EB-3 bass here, bending strings and pulsing nasty grooves. So much of rock is mundane, but these guys take risks in their playing and it makes for much more interesting listening. The cover version of Boyd's blues standard, "Third Degree" typifies the fearless yet tasteful playing of Bruce, with Leslie West wrenching -dripping blues phrases and trills-over double tracked power chords. Bruce is a jazzer and cellist-so when he rips away on the pencil thin Gibson EB-3 neck-he is not playing garage band patterns-but highly sophisticated riffing and melodic structures. West counters that style with drenching vibrato and amplified blues tones like Volcanic lava-trilling, bending, squealing sonic majesty. Vocals are superb and crisply mixed over the booster rocket instruments. The melodic track, "Out in the Fields" would be later covered by guitar legend, Gary Moore. Songs like, "Love Is Worth The Blues, Pleasure, The Doctor and Thrid Degree" SHOULD be cranked loud, thru a good sound system. Blues power rock with Jack Bruce, as one of the best vocal tenors-rips up the competitive landscape. Even THEY could not top this production and the band "correctly" self destructed, shortly afterwards. The later produced- live album, is interesting-and recommended-but keep in mind-you are not getting the multi-tracking of this brilliant studio album. On Live N' Kickin' (Polydor 841 038-2) you have only the live virtuoso talent of a trio that is enjoying the music-almost as much as the audience. Why Dontcha, is a rare gem. Real musicians-real players; turned loose to play their hearts out, and definately a must for any serious music listener.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best rock album of 1972., October 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Why Dontcha (Audio CD)

This album shows the unbelievable talents of Jack Bruce and Leslie West. The production with Jack playing multiple instruments on several tracks showcases one of rocks true giants. Leslie's rhythms and guitar tones shows why he is one of the all time great guitarists and unfortunately has never been given the credit or fame that he is due. The selection of cuts never gets dull, it goes from one style to another and is laid out beautifully. For anyone who loves great rock and roll this is a must have!!!!