Customer Reviews

Why Dontcha

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!!!!

This disc has been reissued by SBME Special Mkts (whatever that is) and it is the same exact disc that's been around since 1990 or so. No remastering which is a real shame since this is a very good album.

Just to add the five-star reviews above: Even very good rock 'n' roll albums have a few clinkers among their tracks. Not here.

I was lucky enough to see this band in Chicago back in November of 1972 right about the time this music came out.....AWESOME! Leslie West came out in front of a wall of Marshall amps and did a 30min solo with a Gibson Flying V, he was HUGE back then...made the V look like a ukelele. But, man could he make them Marshalls beg for mercy! There are so many good songs on this cd it is hard to start, WHy Dontcha, "love is worth the blues" "The Doctor" Jack Bruce is so talented,,,,what a great band, BUY THIS!

If you followed Cream and then Mountain, getting Why Don'cha by West Bruce and Laing was a no brainer.

The title song Why Don'cha's bridge is a wall-o-Gibson/Marshall working perfectly and how did Leslie get his voice to do that at the beginning? Pleasure is one of Jack's best work - ever. The Doctor runs like a scalded dog. At the same time it is a perfect example of how a guitarist and bassist can render a call and response.

Don't buy this if you have a crappy sound system. Better yet buy it and take it to a friend who has a great system and enjoy a little early 70's Rock.

Like Dana from Santa Monica I purchased this record when I was a kid and it completely changed my outlook on how a bass can be used in what is a fairly straight forward Blues/Rock genre that this recording fits into. Listening to the bass on the title track Why Dontcha should be a must for every bassist. It shows a mastery that's a priveledge to behold.

Buy this CD, you won't be sorry...

This is a must have for any hard rock fan. Leslie West is always great, whether it is with Mountain, solo, or as part of West, Bruce, & Laing. A great combination of Leslie West and Jack Bruce. You have to listen to this one.

This is a fantastic album that is in DESPERATE need of re-mastering. No joke, the vinyl version sounds much better than this budget re-issue. Both Leslie and (especially) Jack are in fine form here, but you`d never know it from the heavy-handed reverb and muddy mid-range prevelant in this lack of mixing fiasco. That said, this is STILL an essential LP for all Cream/Jack/Mountain enthusiasts, so buy it and bitch and moan about the mix later - why doncha ?