Randy McAllister
Double Rectified Bust Head
(JSP 2130)
Let's make this simple. If you like Texas-style blues, just go out and buy
this CD. Randy McAllister is one of the most unique blues singers and
songwriters going today. (That's a good thing.) With Double Rectified Bust
Head, his third CD for London, England-based JSP Records, Randy once again
has presented us with his unique brand of blues. The title of the CD is a
line from a John Wayne movie about having way too much alcohol to drink,
the kind of thing a blues performer witnesses on a way too frequent basis.
Randy's singing and harp playing remain top-flight. Some of the marvelous
backing musicians are Hash Brown, Texas Slim, Robin Syler, Jim Suhler,
Bobby Baranowski, Chuck Rainey and John Street. The CD has 13 original
songs. Like usual, the songs are about events that are not traditional
blues themes. "He Was Him" touches on modern-day homelessness.
"Baseball Bat" and "Ain't Like the Movies" are stories
about life today when someone gets a little 'likkered' up. "Who's the
Parent, Who's the Child" deals with drug abuse and caring for
children. But all the songs are not down themes. "Texas Thang"
celebrates things, besides the music, that are unique to Texas.
"Blues Colored Soul" is about a young blues fan who wants no
other way to celebrate her 21st birthday than to see a live blues show.
"Nasty Little Day Dreams" is a tune about male fantasies
regarding a former lover after a nasty break up. "$127 Sandwich"
is an autobiographical song about Randy's banking aptitude. This is a
lively, fun CD that, besides being entertaining, gives you pause to think.
And that's a good thing.
- Scott Ferman -
Southwest Blues CD Review - October 1999
Current Reviews - 1999 Reviews
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