Search - Wet Willie :: Wet Willie 2

Funky R&B influenced rock.

01/13/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I originally got this album in 1972 I believe. It was great music then and is still. My original album sounded a bit thin and now, thanks to years of use, scratchy too. Those sound problems have been corrected in this remastered cd re-issue. This one is definitely worth the trouble. The energy literally jumps from the speakers. Make no mistake, this is funky and pure-without any unnecessary commercialism. Jimmy Hall's "pretty fly for a white guy" soulful vocals combine with Ricky Hirsch's guitar that melds B.B. King's rhythmic style & Clapton's fire power to create a mini-masterpiece within the genre. Also on board is a great rhythm section and one of the tastiest piano players I have ever heard-and I'd just as soon most of the time to have no keyboardist at all. These guys were great and your first listen to this cd is all the proof you'll need to believe it. Don't miss it this time around!"

Great White Tribute To Black R&B Masters & More.

12/30/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album was pivitol for Wet Willie as a band. It more or less launched them to a wider than regional audience. I remember reading a review in "Stereo Review" which after hearing "Airport" on the radio made my decision to purchase the album. That national magazine gave the album fine marks for the selection of music and the inspired performances, but said the sound was "thin" and a better job either "twisting or not twisting" dials in the recording studio may have betrayed the highest heights the band deserved.Well 25 years later technology proves that the actual recording was quite good as evidenced by this newly remastered cd issue. With the right backing and direction this band could still be playing together today because their style, while not particularly popular among teens now, is timeless in my 39 year old mind. Jimmy Hall is Bob Seeger or Mick Jagger with much more soul. He's simply not afraid to let emotion take over. Amazingly, even at his young age here, he does not let excess rule the way that our modern day "divas" & Mr. Boulton prefer. With a amazing guitar player who, for a white guy, shows a great understanding of blues and funk, the front end of this band belies both age and color. The rhythm section is also up to the job, they provide a steady propulsion with extra emphasis on percussion, borrowing Allman Brothers Jai Johanny Johanson. Think of a less latin & more funk Santana percussion section. Lastly, add what may be the crown jewel: John Anthony on electric piano. Mr. Anthony is incredible as his instrument is everywhere on every cut, but never do you notice it more than any other ingredient. Again, maximum bang with no overhang!To close this I want to say the songs are jewels for the most part. Great Otis Reading, Elmore James, and Little Richard cuts with several outstanding originals including a killer instrumental that makes you wish you could saddle up and drive over to the grill/club that inspired "Red Hot Chicken". Please if you love good rocked up R&B that both The Stones and The Black Crowes would love to call theirs, order this cd today and turn everyone you know to music that is too good to fade away!"

Oh My!!!

J. Johnson | Manassas, VA | 02/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am a huge Wet Willie fan-I'll own that at the beginnning of this review. However the studio was not this bands natural environment, the stage is where this band really shone. However, this set provides the song base for the incendiary shows that were to follow. It established Jimmy Hall as one of the greatest white soul shouters and Wet Willlie as a band to be reconed with.



The disc is a mix of covers and originals. IMHO the highlight is the cover of Elmore James It Hurts Me Too. The structure is completely reworked to make it a soul classic, and when Jimmy sings "When things go wrong, Oh SUGAR! It hurts me too" it just doesn't get any better. Also a great version of Grits Ain't Groceries.



If you love southern bands and great rockin' blues music you need this one in the collection. The only reason it gets 4 stars instead of 5 is something doesn't translate completely from the stage, but it really doesn't matter. Buy it!!"