Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat
Bad Juju
Lucky Seven Records
Released – 2001
visit Monkey Beat's website
and on myspace
available on amazon
Don’t let this gem slip by you, particularly if you are a fan of roots rock or just plain old rock and roll that is reminiscent of that raw ‘50s sound. This trio augmented by Tim Alexander on piano, organ, and accordion puts a great variety of sounds that stays with the program. The disc runs with you and brings back those memories of the nights of a long distant era. Listen to the slap bass playing on Don’ Do It, as it relentlessly pushes the song along (no credit as to whether it is an acoustic bass playing by Carlton Powell. Each of the musicians does more than his share with the songs, as attested to by the rock steady driving drum sound of Paul Hollis that compliments the solid bass work and the strong guitar work in a wide range of styles of Jim Suhler. Listen to the variety of sound from the opening of Deja Blue, through the fuzz and feedback of Restless Soul (that strikes me as an anthem to James Dean), to the sparseness of Chupacabra, that turns into a feedback heaven with some of Pete Townsend seemingly in there. This is a disc that will not get a lot of publicity but is well worth the search that may be necessary.
Produced by – Jim Gaines
Songs, times and writers – all songs by Jim Suhler except where noted
1 Deja Blues – 3:54
2 Don’ Do It – 4:06
3 Bad Stretch Of Road – 2:46
4 Don’t Believe A Word – 4:09
5 Shotgun Shack – 4:31
6 Restless Soul – 5:35
7 Scattergun – 4:05
8 Prayin’ For Rain – 5:13
9 Evangeline – 3:10
10 Lover’s Curse – 5:22
11 Sure As The Sun Rises – 5:49
12 Under The Gun – 5:57
13 Chupacabra – 3:26 – Jim Suhler, Paul Hollis, Carlton Powell
14 I.O.U.
Musicians
Jim Suhler - vocals, guitars
Paul Hollis - drums, percussion
Carlton Powell – bass, backing vocals
special guest
Tim Alexander - piano, organ, accordion