Too Hot To Handle

Album review

This is a disc that shows great promise -- this man and his band can stir it up and hit a groove that is incandescent. One problem, though, is that this live disc lacks the fire and energy of their live performances. Part of that missing energy is the sound, which seems dull -- almost dead. When this band plays live, the sound is raw and alive, and everyone, including the lame and the dead, rise up and dance. As a band, they are tight and hold together well, each member is more than capable on his instrument and the sum is greater than the parts would seem to be capable of adding up to. They have one of the best bass players heard in a long time -- he is not only good but incredibly inventive, ranking up there with players such as Victor Wooten and Ron Carter. On this disc he never really gets a chance to shine. Chubby has a way of picking songs that showcase the band's strengths; "Fire on the Mountain" is an extended dub version that outshines the other versions, which shows the versatility of this band in mixing up the tempos. Chubby is writing some good new songs he has three on this disc, and they fit right into the zydeco pattern, yet at the same time add some new wrinkles. Listen to and catch the time stops, horn arrangements and wah-wah guitar of "Wasting Time." This is truly a new level of "swamp funk" that is going to start rising from the mists of the bayous and taking the country by insidious invasion. Overall, the disc cooks and shows off a band that is definitely on the rise. Dancing is mandatory.
© Bob Gottlieb /TiVo