Customer Reviews

Witchdoctor

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

 

 

The Sidewinders from Tucson, Arizona, released "Witchdoctor" #169, in 1988. This a great rockin' album, with such classics as the hard charging title track which #18 on the modern rock charts, "Cigarette", a jangly rocker, with some great lyrics. Dave Slutes vocals on the manic "Bad, Crazy Sun", a stuck in the desert song, a great acoustic-electric rock tune. Andrea Curtis takes over the vocals on "Love '88", another jangly pop song, sweet.
They do a great re-make of the Neil Diamond hit "Solitary Man", this should of been a hit on rock radio in '88!, great guitar by Rich Hopkins. The wild violin-guitar of "Tears Like Flesh", love Dave's Wooh,Wooh vocals. "Before Our Time", has a british feel to it. They strech out on "What She Said", great song and great musicianship on this track. They finish the record with Andrea back on vocals and Mindi Marts on violin, on the folkish "Worlds Apart". Just a great album by a group that was screwed so many times in the music landscape, they should of been bigger stars.

"Cigarette", Chorus - "I ain't going to live my life like a cigarette, burned down to the end and nothing happened yet". With lyrics like that, how can you go wrong? Let's start with the tracks, "Witchdoctor" just rocks on the title track, then into "Cigarette" which I believe I heard on local radio, not sure but love the lyrics. "Bad Crazy Sun" slowly builds into this awesome guitar solo and "Solitary Man" (Neil Diamond cover) is just absolutely amazing. Hey Neil, they did you proud! "Tears Like Flesh" is a flat out terror and "What She Said" starts off as a slow song and builds into this wonderful ending. The Sidewinders speak about life. I think that's what I love best about them. They took the time to craft great songs and this is one of the best (unknown) bands out there. I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars because there are a few songs a little dated with time. However, I'd still buy it for "Bad Crazy Sun" and "Solitary Man" and the other songs listed above. It absolutely needs to be in your collection along with "Austie Ramos' Pool Hall" from 1990. One other item to mention is the band did have to change their name to "Sand Rubies" and they have several cds out under that name. I suggest you also buy the self title "Sand Rubies" cd from 1993 as it's also worthy.

I remember seeing The Sidewinders in some of the local bars in Tempe during the 80's. They were exiting then and I naturally revisit them occasionally on my 16 year old CD!
Upon hearing them conjures up some recollections of only the fondest kind. I wonder where they are now?
I see some sililarities between them and an oustanding band from North Carolina. "The Connells" were another highly underated band that has become a "diamond in the rough" of must have CD's. More specifically, try to purchase the CD named "Fun & Games" for less than $30.00!
Warreng459