Search - Pickin' on Blues Traveler, Various Artists :: Pickin' on Blues Traveler, A tribute

Great idea - poor execution - what a shame

Andrew C Weaver | Rural Pennsylvania | 04/04/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I really really REALLY wanted to like this disc. I have been following Blues Traveler since 1990, and have seen them in concert more than any other band. In recent years, I've also become a fan of bluegrass, newgrass, and early 20th century American folk music. So when I saw a bluegrass tribute to BT was out, I ordered it no questions asked. Great idea! I said. I have seen many bands honored in this "pickin on" format, and I love the "Gone Phishin'" tribute. Unfortunately, "Pickin on Blues Traveler" falls so short, it's a huge disappointment. There are three major flaws. #1 - the drums. I am not a hardcore bluegrass purist, and I love synthesis and hybrids as much as anyone. But there is no way drums fit into bluegrass. It seems that drums were utilized in this disc to overcome an inability to provide rhythm through other means. By the last track, "Stand" the drums are too prevalent, especially the cymbal crashes. It totally detracts from any bluegrass sensibility. I'm not anti-drum, I happen to love drums - but for a bluegrass tribute, they really take away from the style. This disc could be an "acoustic tribute" but not a bluegrass tribute. #2 - the harmonica. Again, old time country utilized harmonica, but bluegrass? The Hohner Special 20 blues harp is the signature instrument for Blues Traveler, and no one plays like Popper. To try to mimick the sound on a more country style harp, just to make it more "bluegrass" is silly. I expected to hear more mandolin, fiddle, and 5string banjo take the lead parts. They are there, but the harp seems to dominate. While this might be an obvious choice for a Blues Traveler tribute, I think it's the exact wrong choice. If I want to hear the song with guitar and harp, I'll listen to the original. When I pick up a bluegrass disc, I expect to hear some rippin banjo and mandolin as primary soloists! Nothing personal against the player, he's fine - but it's just not right for this disc. #3 - The song selection. Now I'll move from being a Bluegrass purist to being a Blues Traveler purist. I know that no one will have their absolute favorites all in one package, but the songs selected are way too top 40. The disc calls BT one of America's premier jam bands - true - so give us some covers of the stuff that fans go to hear live! Don't just rehash every released single! What's next, bluegrass Backstreet Boys? Seriously - But Anyway was the signature song for 10 years, so yes it should be there, but the rest of the disc is mostly the radio singles, and stuff off the last two albums. A notable exception is the inclusion of 100 Years. But I would give this disc a higher rating were it to include crowd favorites like Alone, a perfect haunting ballad, or What's For Breakfast, which would showcase the bluegrass picking style so well. Instead, the producers/players picked the radio friendly "hip three minute ditties" that don't appeal to the hardcore BT fans who are most likely to buy this disc. All in all, I am glad they got the tribute treatment, but I think the execution was slacking and not thought out. A great potential wasted. For a great jam band bluegrass tribute, check out Gone Phishin' - I kept it in the car CD player for a week. Pickin on Blues Traveler will go in my Blues Traveler collectibles box, but won't get many listens."

This is a great concept for a tribute!

Andrew C Weaver | 09/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think that the whole "pickin' on" concept is very cool. It's a really novel approach to some of the old classics. The musicianship is excellent and the way the songs are arranged is really smooth. Also, the only instrumental style makes it feel very jam-like; really chilled out and relaxing.
I think that those who say it isn't good just because it doesn't sound exactly like blues traveler should remember that the idea is not to play the exact songs but to pay tribute to a few of the greatest in the style of country/bluegrass, and I think they pull it off marvelously with this sample of songs."