Search - Bugs Henderson :: Back Bop! The Unreleased 1982 Sessions

There don't seem to be any bad numbers on this release

Arthur Shuey | Wilmington, NC USA | 01/30/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"BackBop: The Unreleased '82 Sessions

Bugs Henderson

Burnside Records BCD-0034-2



Bugs Henderson bears an astounding resemblance to Wilmington guitarist/singer Karl Tutt. That said, let's move on to his record. He's done two things that most musicians dream of. First, he's gone back and remastered some recordings from the distant past. Second, he's included his thoughts on the recording as a final track, "Audio Liner Notes," a spoken narrative just under two minutes long.



Anybody out there ever heard of Bugs Henderson? I know several local pro guitarists who have, yet even these heavy users of recorded music aren't familiar with much of his work. He's a rumor, a legend from the other Coast, and what's reached us ere has all been positive. He's the TrioMaster, the speed king, the guy who can mimic the styles of six different big name guitarists in one 36-bar passage, then do his own thing to show himself their equal as a brilliant improviser.



A couple of the titles on BackBop are familiar, but it's just coincidence. It's not that "Help Me," and it's not that "Ain't Your Daddy's Business." These are all Bugs Henderson originals, and they're all Texas rock from a confident period in the Lone Star State's music history. Sidemen and engineers knew what they were after.



It's a dark sound, menacing when that's Henderson's intent, merely an order to tap one's foot at other times. Not as bouncy and gimmicky as what the Fabulous Thunderbirds were doing at the time and not as emphatic on guitar virtuosity as Stevie Ray's products, but with the same roots. The first few cuts to hook you will probably be "Thief in the Night," "Quicksand" and "Rock and Roll Man." Even after twenty plays, there don't seem to be any bad numbers on this release.

"

Great hot licks!

tracy sanders | valley mills, texas United States | 05/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've seen Bugs' live show many many times and they just seem to get better each time. I first saw Bugs in a hole in the wall type of club in Dallas a long time ago and I've been hooked ever since. This CD is one of my favorites and Bugs plays the blues like nobody's business. Incredible licks by a master axe man and a great track list make this one really hot! You will never hear anyone better at pulling the blues/rock sound from a guitar and mixing it perfectly. This is money well spent!"

THIS IS NOT BLUES

Ronnie Cowlishaw Sr. | AUBURN WASHINGTON | 11/13/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I have some of his newer cd's they're way better to me, he is more blues today this is rock. Good stuff, but not blues. He has got more polished over the years, he is also an excellent guitarist. But I'm into blues so if you want blues buy his newer stuff. The music is also of higher quality he has just got better over the years. Though this is good for his early stuff."