Track |
Rating |
Review |
01 |
A+ |
Dangerous by Syl Johnson
DJ
Mike: The last time Syl was this good he
was “taking us to the river”. He combines here with brother Jimmie to
produce a terrific cut that I’ve been playing for a while. A great driving
beat makes the vocals really stand out. I’ve received an excellent response
from our crowd each time I’ve played it.
DJ Jim:
Excellent song! Man, this is my kind of tune. I
love the driving back beak and the tempo works well for Shagging or Bopping.
I love the smoky, gravelly vocals. I’d buy this CD for this song alone.
|
02 |
A+ |
I Have A Dream by Walter Higgs
DJ Jim:
A little harp, a lotta’ blues, and a swingin’ tempo
makes me want to move and groove to this tune. Once again the tempo is just
right for Shaggin’ or Boppin’ and I think West Coasters will like it as
well. Another great song.
DJ Mike:
My dream would be that all cuts could be this good.
I love this song. Although some DJ’s have had this one for a while it will
be new to our crowd and they will eat it up. Sounds a lot like Kim Wilson to
me, it just smokes from beginning to end |
03 |
A+ |
Wrapped Up, Tied Up, Tangled Up by The Carpenter Ants
DJ Mike:
Well what do you know, the “Ants” have made it uptown. Jim and I reviewed
this cut back in the spring and we’ve been playin’ it for quite a while.
It’s nice for a great song such as this to be getting this much exposure.
DJ Jim:
Gospel Shag at it’s best. If you read our review
from a few months ago you know that we’re great fans of The Carpenter Ants.
They’ve got five solid cuts on Picnic With The Lord, this being one of them.
If this is your first listen to “The Ants” I suggest you find their entire
CD. You won’t be sorry. |
04 |
A |
Satisfy My Soul by Paul Carrack
DJ Jim: Slow, smooth, and really pretty. You
just gotta’ sway to this one. Man this has a lotta’ soul and a lotta’ beach
and it’ll have people belly-rubbin’ all over the dance floor. Man, you just
gotta’ love it.
DJ Mike: I do love it DJ Jim. Blue-eyed soul
from one of the best voices no one knows. Although he’s had high exposure
from the band “Squeeze” and “Mike and the Mechanics”, lot’s of people still
don’t know Paul Carrack. This song has been floating around for a while but
should remain on play lists forever. |
05 |
A |
Halfway Out The Door by S. E. Willis
DJ Mike: Here we go again! Break out the Bop
Mops and the Shag Rags cause you’re gonna’ be sweatin’ before this one’s
over. This one will keep em’ on the floor for the rest of the night. A tough
song we’ll be playin’ for quite some time.
DJ Jim: Another smokin’ slow blusey tune
with a ton of soul. Shaggers, Boppers, and Swingers will eat this one up.
|
06 |
B+ |
Aeroplane Blues by Jamie Wood
DJ Jim: This song reminds me of “The Senders”.
It’s got Swing just oozin’ outa’ it’s pores. This girl’s got smooth smoky
vocals with tons of soul. This is swingin’ blues at it’s best.
DJ Mike: Nice to hear a female growl after
all these guys. A classis song that Ms. Wood makes all her own. Some DJ’s
will probably slow it down a bit for Shaggin’ but we’ll be playin’ it
straight up. |
07 |
B |
This I Swear by Richard Darbyshire
DJ Mike: Here’s a good change of pace on a Lou
Rawls style swinger. This is the first song on the CD designed for the West
Coast Swingers or Hustle dancers and it’s excellent.
DJ Jim: Mike’s right, West Coasters will
love this one. It absolutely sounds like a Lou Rawls tune. I don’t think our
Boppers will like it that much but Swingers will love it. |
08 |
B+ |
Mad About It by The West Coast Playboys
DJ Jim: A solid blues tune
with a drivin’ back beat will have Boppers crowding the floor. I think the
Shaggers will like this one as well. It’s solid, smoky, and just screams the
blues. I like it.
DJ Mike: I don’t know much about this group
except that they nail this cut. I think I’ll cut it a few percent to make it
better for Boppers and Shaggers. Great tune. |
09 |
C |
Lost Alone by Earl Thomas
DJ Mike: I like this cut although I’m unsure
what dance style it caters to. I think our Boppers will like it although it
won’t be one of their favorites.
DJ Jim: Earl Thomas goes back a long way
with our club. “The Way She Shakes That Thang” is a classic we’ve played for
years and could be considered a theme song for our club. I like this song ok
but it’s not one of my favorites on this CD. It’s not that it’s bad, I just
don’t hear it as a great dance tune. |
10 |
A |
Knock Me A Kiss by The Jumpin' Joz Band
DJ Jim: Slow and sultry, I just love this song.
I’ve got a version by B. B. King I really like but this one’s a bit more
up-tempo and has superior sound quality. An old favorite done by many artist
over the years but it’s classic. I can see the Shaggers hitting the floor
big time with this one.
DJ Mike: A sexy smoothie with a west coast
flair. Shaggers will be asking about this one every time it’s played. West
Coast Swingers will be thrilled with the give and take that allows them to
add flourish. On the other hand, Boppers will hit the bar or bathroom!
|
11 |
C |
Talkin' Woman Blues by Blueswagon
DJ Mike: Boppers will be hitchin’ their dance
shoes to this blues wagon. It’s definitely go the sound they all love.
Shaggers will also find it to their liking.
DJ Jim: This is a good tune although it’s
not a standout in my mind. I hear it as a standard sounding blues tune
without anything to make it distinctive. Dancers will take the floor when
they hear it but I doubt anyone will request it specifically.
|
12 |
A+ |
Lovin Jim by Mickey Champion
DJ Jim: Now this is true blues sung by a true
blues artist. She’s old, she’s sultry, she’s a blues queen. If you like
blues it don’t get better than this. This song will have our Boppers hitting
the floor in mass. Hey, you know I’ve gotta’ love it, after all, she might
be singin’ bout’ me.
DJ Mike: You just have to dance to this
song. When Mickey growls your fingers will snap, your head will bop, and
feet will move. This is in the pocket for Boppers of all ages. This is a
terrific cut. |
13 |
C |
Wherever Love Is Found by Richard Darbyshire
DJ Mike: You can refer back to track 7 for my
comments because this song sounds much the same. Not that that’s a bad thing
but you can’t have a steady diet of this sound in a Bop club.
DJ Jim: I concur, this song
is ok, just not my style of play. I probably won’t be playing this one. I
think the beat is suited to West Coasters or Hustlers. |
14 |
A |
Hard Times by Fathead
DJ Jim: Hard hittin’ and blusy with a lotta’
harp and a strong back beat for dancin’. Our Boppers will love this tune.
It’s got guts, it’s raw, I’m movin’ as I type this sentence.
DJ Mike: This is my namesake group.
Seriously, these guys just rock. This cut has been doctored a bit to make it
pleasing to everyone. If you really want to Bop, try the cut I’ve Been
Bluesified off their last CD, First Class Riff-Raff. You’ll enjoy the
whole CD. |
15 |
A+ |
VooDoo, VooDoo by The West Coast Playboys
DJ Mike: Another smokin’ blues cut that just
jumps outta’ the speakers. Reminds me of Duke Robillard or The Fabulous
Jellyrolls. These guys have two great cuts on this CD, I can’t wait for a
full CD from them.
DJ Jim: Smokin’ is right! Man this tune
really cooks. A drivin’ bass beat and guitar rifts out the wazoo! Mike’s
right, sounds like “The Duke” to me. I can see our Boppers wall to wall and
movin’ like a school of lemming on the dance floor. They’re gonna’ love this
one. |