Search - Colin Linden :: Big Mouth

Classic Set

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 07/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Colin Linden is so good, it's amazing he's not better known. His "Raised By Wolves" released on Compass last year was beyond excellent. This Canadian release on Sony is classic. The title track opens with Linden's driving guitar on this swamp boogie. "Without the One You Love" is a marvelous tune that will be played, when discovered, at numerous therapy sessions. The cheerful guitar part counterpoints the message of dealing with loss, "You can be a man; you can be a mouse; you can shout her name through the empty house, but life ain't livin' without the one you love." "Don't Tell Me" is a bouncy duet with Lucinda Williams. It's not the best cut on the CD, but ends with Lucinda's delightful laugh ascending into the upper registers. Linden displays slide guitar on "Skeleton Keys." "The Last Thought" is a bouncy track, "This call's for free, but the next one will cost you." Colin & Keb' Mo' trade off vocals on the acoustic blues, "Wasn't That Enough." The driving beat of Linden's acoustic guitar makes "Wrong Side of the Bed" a classic. "Just Believe" is a delightful slow tune, "So weary & so tired, a prisoner of desire; you have all that you need, just believe." "Blind River Bound" is less than rivetting, even with Bruce Cockburn on vocals. Linden sets a good groove with Lee Roy Parnell on "Away Too Long." "Back in Town" is slow and torchy. "Spirit of the Golden Tone" is a rolling little acoustic tune, "Burnt up the frequency, hot as coal, melt down the wires till they're dripping with soul." "Power On" is a slow barrelhouse blues while "Before the Dawn" sounds like a renegade Jackson Browne track. The CD concludes with the soft blues "Hard Time Killing Floor." Linden's CD is so good, one can only hope for a U.S. release. Meantime, search out the import. It's worth the cash!"

First Review Ever

John Rusty Keene | Salisbury, MD USA | 05/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Never before have I been moved to write a review, but I couldn't believe that no one had reviewed this, one of my favorite cd's from last year. This is definitely a keeper, a well polished gem of a cd with wonderful guest appearances by Lucinda Williams and Keb Mo (among others). It is a testament to Colin Linden's songwriting abilities, with many different moods between these songs. On two of the cuts Colin is definitely channeling the Band, with whom he used to play. I can't believe the US is so ignorant of such a major musical talent just north of the border"