Search - Bo Diddley :: This Should Not Be

Bo Ain't Old Yet

Larry Miller | New York, NY USA | 11/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw Bo perform in concert and felt that like all musical genius', there must be more to Bo than the 50's thing he is forced to do live. "This Should Not Be" was was so surprising that I turned on all of my friends who have also purchased Bo stuff of their own. "My Jesus Aint Predjudice" hit home because I am a black musician and I was like, "WOW", Bo did start playing in the church. Why not do a gospel jump? It's even long like a church jam. I guess Bo had to do this record himself because major label cats don't know what to do with music that is not done in 3 minutes! Anybody remember 70's F.M. radio (longer album versions). "I'm Not The One" is so funky, Bo must have been funky before anyone ever heard of P-Funk. "Mind Yo Business" and "Turn Me Loose" are contemporary blues at its finest. They remind me of Johnny Guitar Watson's stuff. Maybe that is why JGW was asked to contribute to "A Man Amongst Men". And the female backing vocals are so tight. I could go on and on but overall, the album is fun to listen to over and over. I'm sure Bo was pleased to do an album he wanted to do instead of doing his same old thing that record companies stress is needed to make back the money they spend on promotion. P.S. People used to say Prince was weird."

Electric or Electronic, Bo Knows

plsilverman | USA | 03/19/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Beginning around 1989, Bo Diddley began to release a series of albums which sounded like they were done over a weekend with technopop equipment bought at the Mall. Much of the product was less than satisfying, coming off a bit like an unfocused demonstration tape. But with a Classic innovator in charge there had to be some worthwhile results, and "This Should Not Be" yielded many air-play worthy tracks (provided the dee-jay knew when to fadeout - too many cuts go on too long). The title tune is an inviting medium tempo with nice lyrics; "I'm Not The One", a rapid rapp, should have been edited down to a CD-single side; "The Best" is traditional blues, however over-produced; "Let Me Join Your World" is a beat ballad with Impressions-like harmony; "I Love My Baby" is good fun, something about an enlisted man contemplating calling home even for a one-day leave; "Bozilla's Groove" is his signature rhythm in new surroundings. It appears that Executive Producer Bo Diddley was determined to show the big names that he could compete in the '90s and many parts of the 70+ minute set are interesting and enjoyable. What was needed was perhaps an objective post-production hand in editing the set to about 50 minutes and removing some tasteless stuff."