"lets get this straight. This is not a standard blues disc, so don't judge it as one. The CD is made for those who enjoy upbeat electronic music, and it just happens that it's blues orientated. I'm a blues fan, and this fusion of musical genres has allowed me for the first time to enjoy semi-organic, quality dance music. Let the blues fans have a chance to dance true in the 90's. Well done Fat Possum and R.L Turn it up!!"
Not your grandpappy's blues
mumer | 09/11/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This record brims with attitude. I had not heard R.L. before, but the first time through, I was sold big time. The record features an odd marriage of blues and studio gadgetry, but it mostly works. It's cool to hear a departure from straight ahead blues, and this record is leading me to explore the genre as I haven't done before. I followed up this purchase with Junior Kimbrough's "All Night Long", also on Fat Possum, which is amazing - it takes me deep, deep into Mississippi. If you like raw, unadorned blues, R.L.'s live version of "Come on in" is for you. The lead-in is great and the song itself is eerie and beautiful; this is the real deal. Much of the rest of the record demands that the volume be turned up; this ain't music to listen to on the couch."
An acquired taste, but try it
Mark R. Van Wagenen | Elgin, Illinois USA | 03/14/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album is kind of like wasabi: it takes some getting used to but if you do, you have a friend for life. You're in for a big surprise if you're expecting traditional blues from this old bluesman. This is techno remix blues, which obviously won't please some, but he pulls it off. Best-known and probably the best tune is "It's Bad You Know", played on WXRT in Chicago, who turned me on to the album. Most of the cuts are musical loops, not all of which work, but overall pretty solid and recommended for anyone wanting something different. Die-hard blues purists need not apply."
Techno-blues?
Mark R. Van Wagenen | 02/08/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Don't get hung up on labels. Yes you'll find this CD in the blues section but that ain't all you'll find when you listen. Burnside infuses his music with snippets of techno-beat, rap, and sometimes just good old down home conversation. Check out "Its Bad You know". You can envision Burnside talking to his buddy when he states "Don't ask me why, I just went on & told her". And you KNOW what he's talking about. His music contains hypnotic riffs that will take you into the world of cheap booze, adultery, murder and other pieces of a world most of us will never see or know. To quote others. Burnside knows about the birth and background of the blues, he's just not burdened by it."