Alligator Stew is a southern blues/rock CD chock full of great music, mixing guitar, harmonica, lap steel guitar, keyboards, and country elements to great effect. The release has a southern rock flavor, which I personally enjoy. This CD contains eleven tracks with one track 'Blood Money' being done twice, once as an acoustic song and once as an electric song. The production and musicianship is very good and the package has a professional look and feel. These guys should be able to put on a killer show judging from the CD. The whole CD has a southern rock boogie feel and leans towards rock and roll more than the blues.
'Doesn't Really Matter' is full tilt boogie all the way with honky tonk piano and a modern county/rock feel to it. 'Blood Money' is a ballad which is done both as an electric song and a acoustic song. This is one of my favorite songs on the CD. 'Two Wheels' naturally brings to mind Harley Davidson motorcycles and is a rockin song with plenty of attitude. 'Mad Dog Saloon' is another ballad which combines elements of county, rock and blues.
Bottom Line: This is just a fun kick ass release of great music, Southern swamp boogie rock and roll which is hard to find these days. Fans of Lynyrd Skynyrd or similar bands should like this CD. Check out their web site www.alligatorstew.com for some audio samples of the band. On the web site (but not on the CD) is a great version of that old Tennessee Ernie Ford classic '16 Tons' which I wish was on the CD. This CD is going to stay in my CD collection. If you prefer classic blues styles then this CD may not be to your taste but I really like this release, It gets five stars out of five.
Alligator Stew
Gary Jeffries - Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
T.C. Markle - Drums, Percussion and Washboard
Doug Richardson - Bass & background vocals
John Andrews - Lap Steel guitar & Dobro
Additional Piano & organ music by Danny Beirne
Hogleg Records - 00001
628 E. Magnolia Blvd #A
Burbank CA 91501
Web Site: www.alligatorstew.com
This review is copyright © 2002 by Robert T. Murphy, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.
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