The B-52 Band & The Fabulous Skylarks (©1972 MCA)

1: We Have All Got A Past 2: Bring Me Back Again 3: Now I Don't Mind No Light Sermon 4: Wouldn't You Think I'd Know By Now 5: You Been Away For So Long 6: Sliding By 7: Hot Rod Banjo 8: Mama, Please Don't You Lie 9: Clarification Blues 10: Money Changer 11: I Don't Want To Hear You Cry No More 12: Linda Lu

Considering I was just a little kid when this came out, I’m always surprised by my reactions to the whole “new to me” thing. Over thirty years old, and this is still a remarkably fresh release. Of course, T-Bone is no stranger to championing the roots rock revolution. He was pretty much there on the ground floor in the early 70’s. I’ve been aware of his stuff for over 25 years, but this album was one of those weird finds for me.

When I’m in the mood I’ll put this on and let it play all today (kind of like today). This is one of those rock and granola records that at times blends elements of country, rock and gospel. This album is more than a nostalgic time capsule; it’s a full on musical roots chubby.

There are some great songs here, and as a fan of T-Bone’s later work, I was delighted. Hell, even the Boss stole, er borrowed from T-Bone. “We Have All Got A Past” sounds remarkably like “Pink Cadillac”. Which isn’t an endorsement of one Bruce’s more insipid moments (note: sarcasm). I wonder if Larry Norman had this album. I know Larry was big Dylan fan, but some of the playing here especially on “Now I Don’t Mind No Light Sermon” sounds like something off of So Long Ago the Garden.

It was probably just the times, and I’m trying to shoe horn stuff into a little box thirty years after the fact. Which is part of the fun when listening to older stuff. I’m older now and can appreciate this for what it is. Thankfully it sounds pretty good, and the songs still sound great.

Reviewed May 5, 2006

Criminal Under My Own Hat (©1992 Columbia)

The Songs: Over You / Tear This Building Down / It’s Not Too Late / Humans From Earth / Primitives / Criminals / Every Little Thing / I Can Explain Everything / Anytime At All / I Can Explain Everything / The Long Time Now / Kill Switch

This is one of those albums people in the know love to say they have. Guess what? I have it! ... and I’ve been a fan since the early 80’s. I even remember the Alpha Band (but never had any of their albums to my shame - I was just a kid at the time).

This time out he melds the best of his country / folk stylings with some more “modern” sounding bits. Donny and Marie could argue over this one all day long (“It’s a little bit country …” whines Marie “No, it’s a little bit rock and roll.” Poses Donny. Gee I’m on a roll today. I should drink coffee more often before putting a CD on to review). Yeah it’s a decade old now, but it’s sparse production and earnest songs hold up really well. There are some wicked (as in good) moments here, and picking a favourite song is like playing favourites with your kids. But if I pretend the CD is a dog, and the songs are a litter of pups, I can in good conscience pick out the runts of the litter (say, that’s a hell on an analogy – I may use it again). "Humans From Earth" although fun doesn’t wear well; however, for me the killer tracks are the two versions of "I Can Explain Everything" – the second being the best track on the CD.

Now if the powers that be would deign to release his stuff with The Alpha Band (note to the faithful, and his early stuff on CD I’d be a happy but poorer man.

Reviewed after a double Americano March 13, 2002

The True False Identity (©2006)

1: Zombieland 2: Palestine, Texas 3: Seven Times Hotter Than Fire 4: There Would Be Hell To Pay 5: Every Time I Feel The Shift 6: I'm Going On A Long Journey Never To Return 7: A Poem Of The Evening: Hollywood, Mecca Of The Movies 8: Fear Country 9: Baby, Don't Say You Love Me 10: Earlier Baghdad 11: Blinded By The Darkness 12: Shaken, Rattled And Rolled

Mister Burnett spent the last decade and a half behind the glass calling the shots for other artists. I was beginning to think he was never going to step in front of a mic again. Then a couple of years ago he released The True False Identity and I snapped it up. It was a banner year as Twenty Twenty was also released at the same time (I got both at the same time).

This is one of those albums that really got under my skin. It's so much a departure for T Bone's music, but the nature progression in his quest to fuse the various styles that he's dabbled in over the years - with others, and on his own solo work. The first few times through I kept thinking "Oh my someone's been listening to Mambo Sinuendo by Ry Cooder and Manuel Galban." It's actually quite uncanny at times. I still think that, but this is T Bone through and through.

This isn't a bubble gum pop record, so if you're looking for something to dance to, you're not going to find a lot here to get your motor running. But if you can take the time to listen to articulate and intricately wrought pop songs, you'll find a lot to celebrate within Mister Burnett's latest effort. I love this album.

I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say this is his best work ever, but you could make a heck of an argument to put this in the top two or three albums he's ever done. Why his solo stuff doesn't catch on is a mystery to me. What's funny is that one day he'll be in the rock and roll hall of fame, and it'll be for his production work.

Reviewed February 1, 2008