The Boneshakers
Shake The Planet
(Point Blank)
Very few bands out there have a tenth of the dynamite
power and energy that make up the Boneshakers. Guitarist Randy Jacobs and
Vocalist Sweet Pea Atkinson are a formidable combo and when they get
together, amazing things happen. This release is a follow up to the
wonderful first album Book Of Spells and features more of the funk
encrusted, soul infused, flame kissed R&B jam that I have come to
expect from these former members of the pop mega group Was Not Was. Randy
Jacobs pens several of the best songs on this release, including the
blazing first track "Hand Over Fist, Heart Over Mind." His
guitar work is driving, intriguing and never lacks punch. Check out the
funky, talking ax licks on "Yesterday's Gone" or the subtle sub
texture on "Compromise, Communicate" and it is easy to see why
this guy can cause jaws to drop when he tears it up in live shows. Equally
impressive is the incredible voice of Sweet Pea Atkinson. His expressive,
emotive powerhouse of a throat is the heart and soul of the group. When
Sweet Pea sings, it hooks you. His timbre is uncanny and unique. His voice
has a quality to it that is hard to define and yet, it is wonderful to
experience. When he growls and shouts through the lyrics of "Pouring
Gasoline On A Burning Man," you feel the edge. When he croons the
ballad "Teach Me How To Stay" there is a warm tenderness in his
delivery. There are some real gems on this release. "Don't Change
Horses (In The Middle Of The Stream)" is a powerful tune with great
twists and turns. Test-drive the track featuring "Ball And
Chain" for some heavy duty, hard core, blues magic. The words and
music exist in harmonious, foot stomping R&B paradise. Don't take my
vaunted diatribe as law, check them out for yourself and I bet you will be
taking the Boneshakers home with you.
- Bill Fountain -
Southwest Blues CD Review - October 1999
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