New Ground

Robert Bradley, Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 5, 2002)
• Original Release Date: February 5, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Vanguard Records
• ASIN: B00005V62Y
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #162,554 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Former busker Robert Bradley and his Blackwater Surprise band take a different track on their third outing. Instead of rejuvenating classic soul and R&B-based funk by fusing it with sprawling blues romps, they take a trip to the Temptations' psychedelic shack and bring back some souvenirs. Not only have they added spacey sound samples--the kind that accompanied George Clinton's Mothership on its travels--but they use some contrivances right at hand for an interesting, post-millennial edge. Not since Jane's Addiction's "Got Caught Stealing" has a canine been put to such good use as a percussive instrument as on "Lindy," where a swampy piano, handclaps, and some fuzzy guitar are carried along by a well-trained pooch who barks on the beat. The shimmering "Ride My Wave" approaches trip-hop, as Bradley hypnotically chants in a style that approaches Marvin Gaye at his sensuous best. Bradley and his alternative-rockers still explore rhythms that showcase this grizzled blues singer's emotive mastery, but they've gone a little further afield for inspiration. What's the Blackwater Surprise? That these disparate parts fit so seamlessly. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smooth Rock, Soul, and Blues Sounds - A Great Ablum, February 16, 2002

By	K.H. - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise's new Album titled "New Ground" is a spectacular recording. There is not one song that fails to either move one emotionally or physically. Even if one may in some measure disagrees or not completely understand a songs overall statement (like Profile), one can still find a measure of connection with a tune. That is a hard thing for most artist to accomplish; get people to enjoy a tune they may not clearly undertsand or agree with, but still enjoy and feel the artist position.

Many of the songs are just plain fun rock/soul/blues ballads about romance, love, and life. The genius in this talented group is to make a string of singles in one albumn that enrichly come together, but that can also stand on its own. Listening to this CD, I find it hard to pick a favoriate. No song in this CD is skipped and one gains most of their enjoyment by listening to it from beggining to end.

I hope that this oustanding group gets more exposure and air time. It is an outstanding CD with a great vocal and musical mix. This CD makes one's body groove, move and sing to.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprise, March 10, 2002

By	Gerald Bland (Berkeley, Ca. USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this CD after hearing one cut(Train) on the radio.I usually always regret doing that after hearing the entire CD, but not this time. Robert Bradley's voice is amazing. He ain't the smooth pop crooner. It's rich, ragged, and soulful and able to wrap around each song and melody. Whether wailing a lament or getting soft and sweet, he always gets it true.

The band is good, more than proficient, and get in some good licks. I get the feeling that Bradley's vocals and the band's chops really get off on each other. I was also surprised but the very classy production. Each song seems to have it's own sound, tempo, mood that sets it apart from the other tracks.

Good work! I look forward to more great music from these guys.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars RBBS has Everything, June 2, 2003

By	Lloyd Wills (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm 39 years old. After listening to this CD, my dreamy trip back in time was over and I longed for more. You remember the days when things were fine and simple and everything seemed great? It was melodic, soulful, grooving, and it rocked. It personally holds a special place in my heart because of it's nostalgic properties. I can relate to what Robert Bradley is saying in his lyrics - they convey something that is pure, honest and true. Robert delivers a good mixture of moods and topics and sings [...]. He even pays tribute to this great country in the CD's closing song, "Born In America" - It's a laid back groove that takes me back in time on a trip of my great life in America and escalates to a closing instrumental jam of dreamy harmonica, keyboard, guitar/bass and drums. All the musicians are fantastic! The backing vocals are superb as well. Not to mention the nature drenched sound effects (dogs and crickets) which evoke a nice sunny afternoon or moonlit night somewhere in a beautiful countryside. Thanks for the great album, guys ..Your music really struck a chord with me!