Blues Traveler

Amazon.com essential recording
Led by John Popper's virtuoso harmonica playing, Blues Traveler introduced a distinctive new sound into the burgeoning New York City jam-band scene in the late 1980s. On their self-titled debut, the quartet introduced 11 blues-tinged rock tunes that in concert would spread out to extended improvisations, but on record often had the snap of compact, well-structured pop. "But Anyway," became an early signature tune, thanks to Popper's dexterous soloing and his rapid-fire delivery of the song's flippant lyrics. The shapeshifting "Slow Change," gives a better indication of the group's performance chops, as do "Sweet Talking Hippie," "Gina," and the wistful "100 Years," which have become longtime concert staples. --Daniel Durchholz

Amazon.com
Though Blues Traveler's 1990 debut gets docked points for having foisted on the world a "jam band" scene whose white funk-boogie reprised some of the worst excesses and stifling professionalism of '70s rock, it's hard to write the album off as simply a bunch of aimless displays of improvisational chops. Yes, there's plenty of wanking and not enough songs here. But when grooves, melodies, and song structures emerge--most notably on "But Anyway"--it's practically unforgettable. And even at its worst, the band's playing--especially John Popper's virtuoso harmonica blowing--is always impeccable and occasionally thrilling. If it's yuppie rock you crave, you could do a lot worse. --Roni Sarig

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Blues Traveler

Average customer rating: Still sounds fresh!!! Four for Four Stand First Impressions THIS CD ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Four Blues Traveler Manufacturer: A&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Blues Traveler Straight on Till Morning Travelers & Thieves Travelogue: Blues Traveler Classics Pocket Full of Kryptonite ASIN: B000002G2P Release Date: 1994-09-13

Tracks:

1. Run-Around
2. Stand
3. Look Around
4. Fallible
5. The Mountains Win Again
6. Freedom
7. Crash Burn
8. Price To Pay
9. Hook
10. The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
11. Just Wait
12. Brother John

Amazon.com essential recording

This fourth album from the New York's Blues Traveler finally brought their harmonica-based blues riffs into the public eye. Indeed, "Run-Around" spent nearly a year on the Billboard singles chart. Harpman/vocalist John Popper moves easily between uptempo, rock-based tracks like "Stand" and "Crash Burn." The hidden gem here, however, is the love-struck ballad "Just Wait." Often categorized with post-Dead jam acts such as Phish, BT isn't immune from performance excesses. But when it comes to recording, they keep it (mostly) concise and always interesting. If you've heard the name and want to know what all the hoopla is about, Four is a great starting point. --Alexandra Russell

Customer Reviews:

Still sounds fresh!!!.......2006-11-09

I think the best part of this band is their rhythm section. These guys are awesome in their instruments, specially John in harps and guitars. The drummist is good too, the bass marks very well and Chad in guitars, with great solos. Also check out: "Straight up untill morning", with more blues and hard rock.

Four for Four.......2006-10-04

Four stars for an above-average studio album from an excellent live band. I tend not to listen much to the studio albums of bands that are known for their live shows, but recently rediscovered this one in my archives and enjoyed it. Not too many Blues Traveler songs are catchy, but certainly "Run Around" is and to some extent "Hook." When "Hook" first started getting radio time in the mid-nineties, I noticed it sounded very familiar but was not sure why. Then it came to: It is Pachelbel's Canon in D. It is. Same exact chords, slightly different melody. I made this observation once at work, when it first struck me, back in my file clerking days (KBCO on softly in the background), and- I swear- my boss said: "Well they better watch out, Pachelbel is going to sue them." She wasn't trying to make a joke. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep it together.

But anyway.

This is a good album. Popper is a tremendous harp player so, for those of you that don't get the extended jamming thing, their studio albums may be the most palatable way to experience it. Thumbs up.

Stand.......2006-09-26

Great album. Blues Travler is a fun band to listen to. The harmonica is just awesome and Popper's voice is cool. I like this album the best but most of their other stuff is good also.

First Impressions.......2006-05-15

This is my first true impression of the band. They are amazing and the guitar and hermonica riffs truely rock out. Great album.

THIS CD ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2005-11-23

This is an excellent introduction to Blues Traveler. Songs such as Runaround, Brother John, and Stand have catchy tunes, great harmonica jamming, and John Popper's distinctive and high quality vocals. However, a word of caution: If you are one of those people who strongly dislikes jam bands this is not the band for you. Otherwise enjoy this Blues Traveler masterpeice!

Average customer rating: strong BLUES TRAVELLER Blues Traveler Classics He blows and sucks on harmonica. An Optimistic Thought....

Travelogue: Blues Traveler Classics Blues Traveler Manufacturer: Interscope Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Four Blues Traveler Bastardos! The Best of Hootie & the Blowfish (1993 Thru 2003) Travelers & Thieves ASIN: B000078JKC Release Date: 2002-11-12

Tracks:

1. But Anyway
2. Gina
3. Mulling It Over
4. 100 Years
5. Optimistic Thought
6. Sweet Pain
7. Mountain Cry
8. Love & Greed
9. Conquer Me
10. Run-around
11. Regarding Steven
12. The Mountains Win Again
13. Crash Burn
14. Hook
15. Carolina Blues
16. Canadian Rose
17. Just for Me

Customer Reviews:

strong.......2007-07-04

Music that takes you on the road, carries you away to places of the heart with force and assurance.

BLUES TRAVELLER.......2007-05-12

IT IS A GREAT ALBUM THE BLUES ARE WQELL DONE AND PERFORMED. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM TO ANY BLUES FAN.

Blues Traveler Classics.......2007-01-12

First heard this singer on a re-run of Rosanne Barr's TV show and, of course, the radio; I loved the song...I thoroughly enjoyed the the CD.

He blows and sucks on harmonica........2003-07-21

A solid 17 track remastered collection. Half the songs are from either the debut, or "Four". The remaining tracks come off the other four albums. Of course being a "Best of" disc, this does have the hits "But Anyway", "Run-around", and "Hook". But most of the rest is just as good, if not better. My current favorite is "Canadian Rose", about a girl he met in Burlington Vermont. This also has "Regarding Steven", which was on the live album "Live from the Fall". Not alot of long drawn-out jams on this one, but they sure can do it when they want to, and "John Popper" can play the harmonica better than anyone I've ever heard. Whenever I hear "But Anyway", I still think of them at the end of the movie "Kingpin" dressed like Amish, and rockin' out. If you're looking for your first, or only BT album, this one will go perfectly between your "Black Crowes" and "Phish" cd's.

An Optimistic Thought...........2003-03-27

....would be that others will discover TRAVELOGUE and hear what a great band Blues Traveler is.

TRAVELOGUE has something for everyone. If you're a casual fan or new to the band this is an excellent intoduction to their sound. Almost every hit single and concert staple is here (with the most annoying exception of "Most Precarious" from SRAIGHT ON 'TILL MORNING). The chronological format is always the best for these types of albums, and the digital remastering is incredible! This is why die-hard fans who already own most/all of BT's albums should buy this collection. These versions sound sooo much better than the original CD's. A worthy purchase to hear these songs in a remastered format. Also, an incentive for the die-hards would be to have "Regarding Steven" in it's studio version on disc (previously the b-side to "Runaround" and not included on their commercial breakthrough album FOUR). Aside from that, not much else here for the BT groupy.

Concentrating on the FOUR (5 songs) and BLUES TRAVELER (4 songs) albums the song selection is dead on. They included one song ("Just for Me") from their last studio effort BRIDGE (I assume to cover all their studio albums), but "Most Precarious" would've been a better closing song. Hell, at 79:57 you can't argue with the song selection that much.

Special guest appearances from Joan Osborne, Gregg Allman, Chuck Leavell, and Warren Hayes on some songs is an added bonus.The booklet is real decent as well providing writing credits and which album the songs appears from. You also get the essentials for each album's individual credits including the musicians performing.

I can't say enough about how great TRAVELOGUE is. A solid 5 stars even with the exclusion of "Most Precarious." The improved sound of the early material makes up for this one set-back.

Average customer rating: You Won't Hear Better Blues Traveler The best live studio album ever! How about next time there is a CD in the case great collection Awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blues Traveler Blues Traveler Manufacturer: A&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Four Travelers & Thieves Straight on Till Morning Save His Soul Bridge ASIN: B000002GJ0 Release Date: 1990-05-18

Tracks:

1. But Anyway
2. Gina
3. Mulling It Over
4. 100 Years
5. Dropping Some NYC
6. Crystal Flame
7. Slow Change
8. Warmer Days
9. Gotta Get Mean
10. Alone
11. Sweet Talking Hippie

Amazon.com essential recording

Led by John Popper's virtuoso harmonica playing, Blues Traveler introduced a distinctive new sound into the burgeoning New York City jam-band scene in the late 1980s. On their self-titled debut, the quartet introduced 11 blues-tinged rock tunes that in concert would spread out to extended improvisations, but on record often had the snap of compact, well-structured pop. "But Anyway," became an early signature tune, thanks to Popper's dexterous soloing and his rapid-fire delivery of the song's flippant lyrics. The shapeshifting "Slow Change," gives a better indication of the group's performance chops, as do "Sweet Talking Hippie," "Gina," and the wistful "100 Years," which have become longtime concert staples. --Daniel Durchholz

Amazon.com

Though Blues Traveler's 1990 debut gets docked points for having foisted on the world a "jam band" scene whose white funk-boogie reprised some of the worst excesses and stifling professionalism of '70s rock, it's hard to write the album off as simply a bunch of aimless displays of improvisational chops. Yes, there's plenty of wanking and not enough songs here. But when grooves, melodies, and song structures emerge--most notably on "But Anyway"--it's practically unforgettable. And even at its worst, the band's playing--especially John Popper's virtuoso harmonica blowing--is always impeccable and occasionally thrilling. If it's yuppie rock you crave, you could do a lot worse. --Roni Sarig

Customer Reviews:

You Won't Hear Better Blues Traveler .......2006-02-28

I loved this album when I first heard it in 1993. Since then, nothing Blues Traveler has created can compare, really. It all pales in comparison. For the best Blues Traveler you'll ever hear (although it would be nice if that weren't the case), get this CD.

The best live studio album ever!.......2005-12-26

Blues Traveler could have called this album "Live from the Studio." That's how much energy there is on this album. The only thing missing is screaming and applause from thousands of fans. With their debut album, Blues Traveler has successfully captured the energy and thrust of a live performance. The excitement of the musicians on this album is outstanding. John Popper's harmonica work is extraordinary. The ensemble is tight and always playing together collaboratively. The other members are always playing off of the soloist. This album is outstanding. If it doesn't get at least get your foot tapping, (If not dancing about with abandon) I'm not sure that anything else could.

How about next time there is a CD in the case.......2005-09-04

I was really looking forward to listening to this CD because it brings so many great memories to me. But after i spent a long time prying it open, I was shocked and very disappointed to see that there wasn't even a CD in the box!!! How does this happen? I ordered it new. I am being credited and I will receive a new one next week. I hope the same thing doesn't happen.

great collection.......2004-01-28

This over all is a perfect cd, with upbeat beats and as always with Blues Traveler good vocals. this cd is a cd you can put into the cd player and just listen, and you never lose interest. trust me you will find yourself listening and tapping your foot to the beat. If you like jazzy music and unique voice this cd is worth the money. A very talented bunch of guys!! The songs that stand out for me are "But anyway", "100 years" is also good and alittle more mellow same for "Crystal Flame" this song is very long at 9:39sec. But like I said you never lose interest. The type of music that would sound wonderfull in a high quality system. Enjoy

Awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2003-07-13

This is an awsome album! I firt heard of Blues Traveler when they were in the movie Blues Brothers 2000. Then I heard their song "But Anyway". I was blown away! Right at the beginning, you're blasted with the sweet sound of John Popper's harp. Nobody can do such high notes as he can. This song is not the only one on the album that is great. The whole album was worth the price. Believe me, you cannot be disappointed.

Average customer rating: Classic BT Release Brilliant and Sad A Big Letdown Great bookends, but too weak in the middle No weak links on this one

Travelers & Thieves Blues Traveler Manufacturer: A&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Blues Traveler Straight on Till Morning Save His Soul Four Bridge ASIN: B000002GJZ Release Date: 1991-09-03

Tracks:

1. The Tiding
2. Onslaught
3. Ivory Tusk
4. What's For Breakfast
5. I Have My Moments
6. Optimistic Thoughts
7. The Best Part
8. Sweet Pain
9. All In The Groove
10. Support Your Local Emperor
11. Bagheera
12. Mountain Cry

Customer Reviews:

Classic BT Release.......2007-06-21

For long-standing fans of Blues Traveler, this album serves as an excellent follow-up to their self titled debut. Whereas "Blues Traveler" featured the band's ability to jam freely and with ease, "Travelers and Thieves" highlights John Popper's craftmanship with free flowing lyrics and a more cohesive sound from the band, particularly Bobby Sheehan on bass. Bobby would never, in my opinion, sound better than he did on "Emperor" and "Bagheera". As a whole, this album flows well, mixing the more frantic tracks (Breakfast, Onslaught) with more somber moods (Sweet Pain, The Best Part). This album will always be my favorite BT record if only because it was my first (after hearing "All In The Groove" on the radio), but it has stood the test of time, and survived when it seemed the band might not. A must have for fans of the band, and an excellent introduction to those who have been missing out.

Brilliant and Sad.......2006-01-24

I have to say that this was one of the 5 Blues Traveler classics before the untimely death of the late Bobby Sheehan (r.i.p). Every song is pure brilliance on this disk. I still can't get over the awesome bassline on Support Your Local Emperor( Bob at one of his finests). I just wish they played that song live when I saw them. Sweat Pain always brings a sad feeling when I hear it, even tho it is happy also. Recommend buying along with Save His Soul. Peace Out

A Big Letdown.......2005-05-08

The debut Blues Traveler CD was truly fascinating. Great jams fueled by some catchy songs such as Gina, But Anyway, Warmer Days, and Sweet Talkin' Hippie.

This follow up Travelers and Thieves CD has many good jams but many unmemorable tunes. As talented as the instrumentalists might be, after a while the endless noodling gets a little boring if a good melody is not present. All In The Groove is possibly the only piece with a noteworthy melody. Mountain Cry is not bad in the background with some good vocal interplay between John Popper and guest, Greg Allman. In time I could appreciate it a bit more. Onslaught is semi-memorable if a bit chaotic.

However, the overall impression is that of boredom. The tunes all seem to blend together with little in the terms of variety and even originality. Even Popper's harmonica blasts get wearisome midway through this CD.

The discriminating fan will choose the first CD, Four, and Straight Until Morning and pass on this mess.

Great bookends, but too weak in the middle.......2003-09-25

I am a big Blues Traveler fan. I have enjoyed their evolution over the years, and I think that each phase of their career is enjoyable for different (and some of the same) reasons. Having said that, Travelers & Thieves is and has always been my least favorite BT album. For years I had a difficult time pinpointing exactly what it was about the album that troubled me, but eventually I hit upon it:

Too much hi-hat.

It's more than that actually. But that's a big part of it. It sounds trivial (and I suppose it is), but many of the songs suffer from an overly-polished rhythm section. The drum lines are all very intricate, but they are often too fast and lack the drive and guts of the songs from the (brilliant) "Save His Soul" album and even "Straight On Till Morning".

This is most evident in "Optimistic Thought", "I Have My Moments", "Support Your Local Emperor", "All In The Groove" & "Bagheera". There is just not enough kick behind these songs and they rely too much on a rhythm section that is far too hi-hat heavy and not strong enough to carry them.

Other songs misuse the harmonica. John Popper is at his best when he is attacking the harmonica on songs like "Can't See Why", "Sweet Talking Hippie" and "Stand". On too many of the songs on Travelers & Thieves (especially Bagheera & Emperor), the harmonica almost sounds like a flute.

Another problem is the mix. The entire album sounds like it was recorded in a large, empty room with no acoustic walls. There is way too much echo and it makes the lyrics very difficult to understand. "What's For Breakfast" sounds much better live than it does on this album for that reason.

Still, the album has some very strong points, and I need to mention them. "The Tiding / Onslaught" is very good, if a little musically dichotomous (although I believe that is intentional and consistent with the lyrics). And the epic "Mountain Cry" is in many ways one of the best BT songs ever written. But in between those two classics which open and close the album, there is a little too much fluff ... and hi-hat. Two and a half stars -- round up to three.

No weak links on this one.......2002-08-04

There always seems a point in every Blues Traveler album where the flow is broken and perhaps one or two songs make the cut that probably should not have. No such problems on Travelers & Thieves. This album gets lost in the shuffle when looking at their work as a whole, but many of BT's most cherished songs make their appearance here. John Popper hits his stride as a songwriter on Sweet Pain, Optimistic Thought, The Best Part, and Bagheera.

Although BT made its mark through a absurdly extensive touring schedule in its early years, it was in T&T that the songwriting and musical talent that culminated in the wildly successful Four truly shines for the first time.

The choice of All in the Groove as the initial single release was puzzling, but BT always seems to mess that up on every album. Don't let the lack of sales pre-Four allow you to dismiss this album, if you like BT you need this one.

Average customer rating: Worthwhile but not spectacular Indeed...Straight On Till Morning!!! An overlooked masterpiece!!!! Harp Attack! Hard to top...

Straight on Till Morning Blues Traveler Manufacturer: A&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Four Travelers & Thieves Save His Soul Blues Traveler Bridge ASIN: B000002GOF Release Date: 1997-07-01

Tracks:

1. Carolina Blues
2. Felicia
3. Justify The Thrill
4. Canadian Rose
5. Business As Usual
6. Yours
7. Psycho Joe
8. Great Big World
9. Battle Of Someone
10. Most Precarious
11. The Gunfighter
12. Last Night I Dreamed
13. Make My Way

Amazon.com

Album number five from these New York workhorses doesn't stray any perceptible distance from their patented, John Popper-blowing blues-rock formula. "Carolina Blues" is a tasty lead single, while "Justify the Thrill," "Great Big World," and "I Dreamed About You Last Night" seem like choice followups. There's even a love song called "Canadian Rose" complete with fond references to Vancouver and, of all unlikely places, Burlington. --Jeff Bateman

Customer Reviews:

Worthwhile but not spectacular.......2007-06-21

As a follow-up to "Four" Blues Traveler released the over-exposed and under-achieving "Straight On Till Morning." With the exception of a select few tracks - "Canadian Rose" and "Most Precarious" stand out to me - the album feels rushed and unfinished. It falls somewhere in the middle of pumping out great music to keep their true fans happy , and silencing critics who dubbed them one-hit-wonders after "Four". "Carolina Blues" was a terrific choice as the first single to be released, as it showcased the grittier, more blues-driven sound that was missing (for better or worse) from "Hook" and "Run-Around". I can't fault Popper & Co. for striking while the iron was hot, but I feel this is their most disappointing album to date.

Indeed...Straight On Till Morning!!!.......2007-03-29

Incredible work from the entire band!! Those that are disappointed or not happy with this CD must be deaf because it is amazing from start to finish. DAMN these guys just never stop...STRAIGHT ON TILL MORNING!! Makes me want to go drive!! If you dig Blues Traveller this is a crucial studio release, I don't care what any of these other reviewers are saying. It takes me on a fantastic rollercoaster of energy and emotion that few bands can. From the hits like Carolina Blues and Last Night I Dreamed to the "B" sides like Psycho Joe, Yours, The Gunfighter, Make My Way...they're all just fantastic, full of energy, and an absolute joy to listen to. When will these guys go on tour again??!?!?! Makes me yearn for the 90's jam band festivals in the summer...great stuff, must have, get it today!

An overlooked masterpiece!!!!.......2006-11-09

Is difficult to choose what of their albums is better than the others, but "Straight on till morning" is in my opinion the best album of this incredible guys. The songs are very well composed, lirically and musically. The rhythm section is solid as always with more blues inspired solos courtesy of John and Chad. The drums and bass are great too and of course the harp attack in every song!!! Recommended!!!

Harp Attack!.......2006-01-31

Well if your looking for something quiet and soulfull FORGET THIS ONE. This is some serious hard crankin harp driven blues/rock. So what do get for your hard earned? In John Popper, the best harpist today bar none (yes including Musselwhite), with a great band backing him who have obviously seen the odd stage or 2000. Add to that some seriously good lyrical ability with all the depth and quirkiness of say a John Hiatt (now there's a wrap). What more can I add, I have all the BT CD's & this is difinitive. Like this, get the lot. Will always be a favorite of mine. Got a long drive ahead, this is a must, it can save your life.
Highlights are Canadian Rose, Psycho Joe and Most Precarious.

Hard to top..........2003-07-12

This is an awesome follow up to Four. SOTM continues the jam stylings of Stand, Fallible, Freedom and Crash Burn. It shows the evolution of the band and continues in the tradition of their famed blues-rock stylings. SOTM/Blues Traveler have been given a hard time about so called "selling out". However, I find no fault in creating an album that people want to listen to. They don't comprimise their style, but explore it deeper. This album is something that should be in the CD changer of anyone who really enjoys good, talent soaked music. Buy it, quick...

Average customer rating: If only we could give 0 stars, I would Dont waste your time Blues Traveler hits the ground running with Bastardos! Their worst album to date Aptly titled.

Bastardos! Blues Traveler Manufacturer: Vanguard Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Travelers & Thieves Blues Traveler Bridge Straight on Till Morning Save His Soul ASIN: B000A8AXD6 Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. You Can't Stop Thinking About Me
2. Amber Awaits
3. After What
4. Money Back Guarantee
5. Can't Win True Love
6. Nail
7. Leaning In
8. She And I
9. Rubberneck
10. Nefertiti
11. What Could Possibly Go Wrong
12. That Which Doesn't Kill You
13. She Isn't Mine
14. The Children Of The Night

Customer Reviews:

If only we could give 0 stars, I would.......2007-03-17

First off, let me start by saying that I love...LOVE...LOOOOOOOOVE Blues Traveler. I have all of their official releases, and literally over 100 additional CDs of live shows (they allow taping). I am one of those guys who, even if the live show recording doesn't soung very good, I will crank it up, and strain to listen to BT, because I love their music. With that said, this is the worst album I have ever heard of theirs. There are a few decent songs, but even most of those are ruined by horrible effects...they sound like kids who just learned how to use studio effects, but don't know how to do it well yet, so they just turned them on at random.

Missing from this album is EVERYTHING that makes a Blues Traveler album great. The songs are not well written, and sound like they were just thrown together. Popper's lyrics, usually brilliant, are pretty mundane. The vocals, usually amazingly powerful and expressive, are often distorted due to bad effects, and never really show off what Popper can do. Chan (the guitarist) is almost non-existant, and songs like Rubberneck just sound empty without him.

I'm glad that the band had a good time recording this album, but I sincerely hope that this was just a dud, and not the start of a horrible trend. This album is the most disappointing thing I have ever heard from a band I love so much.

Dont waste your time.......2006-09-30

Save your money if they are playing in concert in your town. Last summer they played at a benefit concert for kids with cancer and then played afterwards in town for half the cost. Just check out the local listings for a band called John Popper and friends....The music is dated so you dont want to pay full price to hear them play.

Blues Traveler hits the ground running with Bastardos!.......2006-08-12

I only own one other Blues Traveler album : Four. While I looked at some possible choices for albums to buy I was quite taken aback at how "fans" of BT were so quick to judge and hate this album. I listened to the album non-stop and the band just sounds so in-sync "pardon the term" It has a very 60s Sgt Pepper's feel to it and sounds a lot like The Beatles best work . Yes,at times the tracks are jam packed with effects and tricks but that is not to say that the tracks do not stand well on their own. It is a wonderful album for fans of the 60s, and its complex solos and soulful lyrics can appeal to the younger kids as well. I believe that this album with Popper's soulful crooning and some wicked work on keyboards by Wilson, is the bands best. Whoever said Popper's harmonica is barely heard is wrong, Popper has toned it down to fit the mood of the piece , it is still very apparent . This album is an exploration for the band and I applaud them for that, plus, its sounds really good. You know the band had fun recording this album. So I think album should not be booed or hissed at, but stand side by side with such great albums as : The White Album, Sgt.Pepper and Abbey Road.

Their worst album to date.......2006-07-06

I own all of Blue Traveler's studio albums, own some of their live stuff, and have seen them live. I would consider them among my 10 or so favorite bands, so it pains to be say this -- but this is a horrible album. I keep thinking that I need to listen to it a little more to give it another chance, but frankly, I'm not sure it's even worth it. What surprises most is that the album directly preceeding this one, "Truth Be Told" is among their very best work. I'd love to write a glowing review for one of my favorite bands, but I can't. If you're looking for a BT album to start with, don't begin your adventures with the band with this album.

Aptly titled........2006-03-28

Started listening to BT when Four was released.

Have purchased every studio album since then.
Consider Straight On ... to be an overlooked masterpiece.
Have been happy with every BT purchase ... 'til now.

I find five of the songs listenable, and the rest to be pretty much noise. I can only hope that the band enjoyed it.

Average customer rating: Great Live Album I Lied and Told them I Love Them I could listen to this for "100 Years". Excellent live cd showcases the band at its best Almost 5 stars

Live From the Fall Blues Traveler Manufacturer: A&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music Jam Bands | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Blues Traveler Travelers & Thieves Four Straight on Till Morning Bridge ASIN: B000002G55 Release Date: 1996-07-02

Tracks:

1. Love And Greed
2. Mulling It Over
3. Closing Down The Park
4. Regarding Steven
5. New York Prophesie
6. 100 Years
7. Crash Burn
8. Gina
9. But Anyway
10. Mountain Cry

Tracks:

1. Alone
2. Freedom
3. Mountains Win
4. Breakfast
5. Go->
6. Low/Go
7. Run
8. Hippie/Imagine

Customer Reviews:

Great Live Album.......2006-10-17

Blues Traveler has always been known first and foremost as a live band. This two disc mammoth live recording from the mid-90's captures the band in all of their jamming glory during the pinnacle of their career. I remember back in the early 90's when Blues Traveler was lumped in with Phish and the Spin Doctors as the next big things in the jam band scene. The band reached a phenomenal level of popularity (although never got as big as Phish), but seems to have fallen off the radar a bit in recent years. I have never had the chance to see this band live, but from the performances captured on this CD, they must be killer in concert. I have seen a lot of great harmonica players over the years (Kim Wilson, Fingers Taylor, and Rod Piazza to name a few), but I don't think any of them can touch John Popper. He has a style that is uniquely his own and some of the stuff he plays are on a level that rises far above the pack. This live album has it all and includes the hits "Runaround", "Mountains Win" (now best known for a beer commercial) as well as two songs that were new at the time "Regarding Steven" and "Closing Down The Park" both of which are great tunes. The album also includes several covers including "Imagine", "Low Rider", and "Looser". All of these are done differently from the original versions with Blues Traveler putting their own unique stamp on the tunes. The rest of the album is full of instrumental virtuosity and Popper's warbley vocals mostly done at a breakneck pace. Every member of the band shine continually throughout the two disc set with one frenetic solo after another capturing the essence of what is best about this type of music. All in all this is a fantastic live album and would serve as a great introduction to the band for a newbie.

I Lied and Told them I Love Them.......2006-05-31

I forgot about these guys. I recently rediscovered these CDs deep in the recesses of my collection. I took them out, loved them, was suddenly a big Blues Traveler fan again. And then, just like that, it was gone. I tried to listen a second time through a couple days later. And I had had enough. It was a little miniature recapitulation of my original relationship with he group.

There was a time in '91, I think, or thereabouts, when Grateful Dead were having this huge insurgence and the "jam scene" was a new concept. People all around me, all of a sudden, were very into Blues Traveler. They played on my college campus, and then I saw them live a couple times at Red Rocks in Colorado. Good shows. Rolling Stone ran a cover story on the new bands coming up that were modeling themselves on the Dead, as far as focusing on unique, improvisational live performances and allowing fans to bootleg and trade shows. If I remember right, Blues Traveler was the featured band of the new generation, with Phish, Widespread Panic, and the Spin Doctors getting their own blurbs. Good ol' '91.

Popper's singing grated on me a little, that deep quavering vibrato that changes notes so many times on the same syllable that it just becomes waterlogged garbles. But he really is amazing on the harmonica. He sings hard and then he blows hard. Personally, I liked the old fat Popper, not the post-gastric bypass Popper. That's my own selfish thing. I like the idea of the lovable loser guy getting on stage and coming alive with manic intensity. But the gastric bypass is a good operation, I'm happy for him that he's lost the weight.

They're pretty fun for a little bit. But, then, like any small ensemble, their music started to all sound the same. Popper's harmonica is still great, great when he collaborates with other musicians, but the songs got boring.

But Anyway.

Thumbs up, high energy live performance. This is good music to keep around deep in your collection, and occasionally bust out. The key for me is little doses.

I could listen to this for "100 Years"........2005-08-24

There a some bands out there that a fan has just got to hear live, and obviously Blues Traveler is one of them. I love the studio stuff also, but this collection puts you right out there on the lawn and in the breeze. Most of these tracks manage to stay true to form, yet still be able to stretch out and expand a little bit too. I think "Live From The Fall" should please any level of fan, as it includes some obscure songs as well as the hits. The only thing major missing is "Hook". Among these songs are portions of others songs as well, like "Loser", "Low Rider", and "Imagine". Good to see these guys are still truckin', and I look forward to seeing them next month.

Excellent live cd showcases the band at its best.......2003-01-01

This is an excellent gem that too few people are aware exists. Everyone remembers Blues Traveler as "that band with Runaround and Hook." Is this a bad reputation to have left on pop music's ever dwindling attention span? Not at all. Is it a disservice to the band's talent? Yes. While both of those songs are great, catchy tunes that deserved every bit of radio play they had, the band's true talent is within their live shows. One of the few jam bands still currently producing music, Blues Traveler is the definition of live charisma. This album is a wonderful example of that charisma.

First off, John Popper's harmonica skills are astounding. I'm no expert, but I'd like to see any number of players try and top his diversity, speed and melody. He makes some of Kinchella's guitar parts seem insignificant.

Not to say that Kinchella, Sheehan and Hill don't hold their own. This is an excellent band. Sheehan is an excellent bassist, Kinchella is very rythmically incline and holds the songs together nicely with his laid back grooves. He also has some red hot bluesey solos that are pleasing to the ear.

This brings us into the music that they've chosen for this double-disc release. The music is so well played, so convincing, so beautifully careless, every bit of it flows together perfectly. A fine example is the "go-low-go" epic on the second disc. This is one of the most exhausting, yet thoroughly satisfying jams I've ever heard. They even manage to throw in Beck's "Loser" for good measure. There aren't too many bands that I can think of that are capable of pulling something like that off.

This band is all about musicianship and the love for their live set. This is one of the finest albums I've ever heard, as well as one of the very best live cds in my collection. Popper and the boys are in fine form. It makes me yearn for a chance to see them play. I think I could then die a happy man!

Almost 5 stars.......2001-09-28

I discovered BT years ago on Late Night with David Letterman. The first song I ever heard them play was "Believe Me" off of "Save His Soul." It is my favorite BT track,and is MISSING off this otherwise excellent CD. Loose, jangly, and fun, but incomplete.

Average customer rating: An underrated masterpiece TRINA MAGNA Musically the Best One of their best BT's best

Save His Soul Blues Traveler Manufacturer: A&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Travelers & Thieves Straight on Till Morning Blues Traveler Bridge Four ASIN: B000002G16 Release Date: 1993-04-06

Tracks:

1. Trina Magna
2. Love & Greed
3. Letter From A Friend
4. Believe Me
5. Go Outside & Drive
6. Defense & Desire
7. Whoops
8. Manhattan Bridge
9. Love Of My Life
10. NY Prophesie
11. Save His Soul
12. Bullshitter's Lament
13. Conquer Me
14. Fledgling

Amazon.com

Blues Traveler are a hippie blues'n'boogie band in the mode of Canned Heat and Savoy Brown. Led by John Popper, a rotund singer and harmonica player, the New Jersey quartet captured the open-ended jam mentality of its live shows on its first two studio albums. On their third album, Save His Soul, Blues Traveler tightens up their arrangements and puts more emphasis on songwriting and premeditated parts. While this cuts down on the meandering solos and monotonous rhythm patterns, it forces attention on the hackneyed aphorisms and melody-starved chord changes that pass for the band's songwriting. On the other hand, they have improved noticeably as players, and bassist Bobby Sheehan shines in particular on the fast and tricky syncopations. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

An underrated masterpiece.......2006-06-04

This is by far the best blues traveler album ever. My favorite tracks are Trina Magna & Love & Greed. The emotion that is heard on this record is fantastic. It's a damn shame that this record is out of print and hard to find. Do yourself a favor and go find it. You'll be glad you did.

TRINA MAGNA.......2003-06-06

Trina Magna is an opus in six minutes. You know the chill you got up your spine when you first heard
the Vienna Boys Choir on You Can't Always Get What You Want? Well, the chill is back when Popper's
heavenly harmonica strafes the choir at the end of TM. Truley transcendent. This is a hell of a disc.

Musically the Best.......2003-03-26

As a devout fan of Blues Traveler since 1993, it is very difficult to rate any of their efforts higher than their self-titled debut, but I believe that "Save His Soul" is deserving of that honor. From "Trina Magna" to "Whoops" and "Go Outside and Drive,"this album does not have a weak spot. As disappointed as I was when the band seemed to sell out with "Four" and made little redemption with "Straight On Till Morning", I was overjoyed with their latest, "Bridge." If you don't shed a tear when listening to "Pretty Angry," you simply do not have a soul.

One of their best.......2001-09-30

One of the best CD's from Blues Traveller.

The best tracks on this CD are Trina Magna, Letter from a friend, and Conquer Me. Overall a great CD.

BT's best.......2000-07-11

Quite simply, this is easily Blues Traveler's strongest effort. I am a die-hard BT fan and have been since I was eleven years old, and this album definitely qualifies as my favorite. Some songs have a very dark edge to it, but some are light and uplifting. The songs have meaning, and aren't catch tunes (like much of Four, which is still a great album). This is definitely a must-have for ANYONE who appreciates good music.

Average customer rating: To tell you the truth The Blues band is back and better than ever. An excellent effort for Chapter Two A great one to have... Some Highlights But Not Quite Prime Time

Truth Be Told Blues Traveler Manufacturer: Sanctuary Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Bastardos! Blues Traveler Travelers & Thieves Bridge Save His Soul ASIN: B0000AC8P3 Release Date: 2003-08-05

Tracks:

1. Unable to Get Free
2. Eventually (I'll Come Around)
3. Sweet and Broken
4. My Blessed Pain
5. Let Her & Let Go
6. Thinnest of Air
7. Can't See Why
8. Stumble and Fall
9. This Ache
10. Mount Normal
11. The One
12. Partner in Crime

Amazon.com

For every moment of transcendent groove, the jam-band ethos seems to have generated an eon of aimless instrumental indulgence. It's a mindset that bedeviled even icons like the Grateful Dead when they endeavored to construct something as elegantly--and elusively--simple as a song. Blues Traveler has hardly been immune from the foibles of excess, which makes this focused, song-oriented album an instant career high point. It's no mean feat to be both disciplined and adventurous but, with the able assistance of veteran producer Don Gehman, that's just the trick John Popper and company have turned here. For his part, mouth harp virtuoso Popper makes more like the Stax horns than Satriani, often content to punctuate his band's ever potent rhythms with flourishes as earthy as they are saturnine. But the real news here is the band's rededication to songcraft, an ethos that yields gems from the Little Feat dynamic of "Eventually" and jazz/R&B touches of "My Blessed Pain" and "Thinnest of Air" to the muscular pop hooks of "Let Her & Let Go" and rewarding funk-meets-classicism of "This Ache." It's a tack that's challenged Popper to warm new dimensions of vocal expressiveness as well, and the band to focus its powerhouse abilities into a gritty wallop. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

To tell you the truth.......2006-03-22

As were the first two albums I bought by Blues Traveler, this is their true sound as it should be. A bit rough and unpolished, and yet just perfect!

The Blues band is back and better than ever........2004-07-11

I stopped listening to the Blues Traveler in around 1997. I decided to listen to those loser punk-rock bands. I had the "Four" album, and I liked that alot, but I stashed that somewhere. In 2004 I finally bought their album on the way back home. Since then, I've never stashed this cd anywhere. This cd is pure gold baby!

An excellent effort for Chapter Two.......2004-03-01

When Bob Sheehan passed away, Blues Traveler reinvented itself with a new bassist and the addition of Ben Wilson on keys. I can't imagine them now without this line-up. As good as they were before, this new lineup suits them very well and seems to have allowed them to really diversify their range of expression. Bridge, their first album with this new lineup, was AMAZING, one of their strongest records, and Truth Be Told is a solid follow up. The songs aren't as catchy as on Bridge, but they really grow on you. They are complex, yet very lyrical. And there is still space for jamming. The new Blues Traveler is distinct from the old one, and this new CD proves that they are evolving well in this new configuration. Blues Traveler is one of my favorite bands and I love what they're doing now.

A great one to have..........2003-11-29

If you like rock, jam bands, or jazz, you will love this CD. Just slightly rockier than Blues Traveler's older CDs, you will be impressed my the great harmony and musicianship displayed on Truth Be Told. This has become the CD that I listen to if something is bothering me. Its upbeat and energized essence, to me, even seems inspirational.

Some Highlights But Not Quite Prime Time.......2003-11-23

On Truth Be Told, Blues Traveller seemed to focus on developing more focused songs. There is a noticeable lack of emphasis on the jamming. Whereas there are some good songs, somehow I am a little bit dissappointed. Also, Johnny Popper's harmonica is hardly heard from throughout the record. These guys should know that this is what made Blues Traveller great!

The opening three songs are quite strong. Unable To Get Free has some nice gospel touches. However somewhere by the eighth song, the CD gets a bit tiresome. Many of the melodies seem to be recycled and the arrangements seem identical to one another.

Mount Normal comes to the rescue with some inspiring lyrics. And Partner In Crime has a fairly captivating riff. However, the overall feeling is that this CD is in the 3-3 1/2 star zone due to consistency in the creativity department.

Average customer rating: Not The Blues Traveler I Once Knew A decent CD but the Blues Traveler band we knew years ago is indeed gone Deep What Happened? The worst out of the best.

Bridge Blues Traveler Manufacturer: Interscope Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Travelers & Thieves Blues Traveler Straight on Till Morning Save His Soul Bastardos! ASIN: B00005BJLC Release Date: 2001-05-08

Tracks:

1. Back in the Day
2. Girl Inside My Head
3. Rage
4. Just for Me
5. You Reach Me
6. All Hands
7. Pretty Angry (for J. Sheehan)
8. The Way
9. You Lost Me There
10. Sadly a Fiction
11. You're Burning Me
12. Decision of the Skies

Amazon.com

Blues Traveler's sixth album is a bittersweet affair, originally dubbed Bridge out of Brooklyn in homage to founding bassist Bobby ("Brooklyn Bob") Sheehan, who died of an overdose in 1999. After much debate the band decided to simply call it Bridge, signifying both a subtle tribute to their fallen compatriot and a demarcation between the two segments in their career, Before Bob and After Bob. The album is formally dedicated to Sheehan, and his ghost wafts through many of the tracks--most poignantly on "Pretty Angry (For J. Sheehan)," written for the bassist's brother. The anxious lyrics reveal that John Popper and the band are not yet over his loss, only having worked their way through the second stage of grief, lamenting: "I don't know which was the bigger waste of time, missing you or wishing it was me." Besides allowing the band to mourn, Bridge also gives Blues Traveler a chance to clean house, recycling "The Way" and "Decision of the Skies," two rather grandiose songs once slated for the band's now-abandoned concept album. But on the whole Bridge is a rather lackluster affair, weighed down with clichés, lumbering and dispirited jams, and inane lyrics like "[Y]ou can start to give that inner brat a hug, till the dickhead pulls the rug," from "Rage." The one stand-out track is "Girl Inside My Head," a whimsical inner dialogue between Popper and his id, but other than this clever bit of fluff, Blues Traveler's Bridge is a dead end. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews:

Not The Blues Traveler I Once Knew.......2006-01-24

I have been a Blues Travler fan since a good old deadhead friend of mine turned me on to their awsesome jams in 96. I started listening to Four and than their first album, than Travelers, Save His Soul, which were all amazing to me. I was lucky enough in the fall of 97 to see Blues Traveler for the first time in a downtown theateR were I got to stand all night in front of Bob (R.I.P), which was totally awesome. I think Bobby was the main backbone to Blues Traveler and without Bobby to me, there is no Blues Traveler. Not a Blues Traveler that once kicked out the jams to great tunes that I still know. Buy anything up till Straight On if u want to hear the real BT.

A decent CD but the Blues Traveler band we knew years ago is indeed gone.......2005-11-02

I love...er, "loved" Blues Traveler back in the day (no pun on the same titled song on this album) - raw, gritty, fun, unique, just a buncha guys doing their thing, performing, having a blast. CDs like Travelers and Thieves (which is still my all-time favorite) and the self-titled were phenomenal works of art in the minds of true BT fans. But I have to say that this album can truly be thought of as a bridge between the old band and this new version. Unfortunately, the bridge is slowly burning from the past towards the future - there's no going back. I like this album, but only as the type of CD I'll pop in when I'm driving long distances and have grown tired of the CDs I've worn out listening to over and over again. Sorry folks, this one's background noise. BT isn't supposed to be ALL about sentiment...you gotta rock sometimes too, guys...

Deep.......2005-09-16

Bought this album after reading many great reviews. It is very different from the other Blues Traveler albums I have, much less blues influence. My initial reaction...I like it, but it has many layers and it will take a while to digest it. More complex than their other albums.

What Happened?.......2003-07-27

I'm a long time BT fan, I know that some of the best bands in the world are ones that are able to reinvent themselves and sound nothing like they did 10 years ago and still sound great but this is not the case with BT and with this album. Simply put, this album is junk but I still hold on to the hope that they will improve with their next. If you're thinking about buying a BT album, get Travelers and Theives or Save his Soul, you will not be disappointed. This album is best forgotten. We will all miss you Bobby S.

The worst out of the best........2002-12-06

Bridge, an album that plays absolutely no testament to a band whose ability far superceedes this pile of [garbage]. I have been listening to BT for about 15 years now, seeing them doing live shows in the Jersey area in the late 80's. If you want a great album, buy "Save His Soul," dont waste your time with this garbage. Im sorry Bobby S. is dead, he truly was a backbone for this band, listen to any early stuff and his bass is clearly prominent. Its a shame.

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