Review Roulette: The Dusters, Guilt, "Alive At JC's" (1986-1991)

THE DUSTERS
This Ain’t No Jukebox...
Nashville blues-rockers check in with their first full-length disc, which turns out to be well worth the wait. A collection of ten earth-scorching tunes, it’s obvious that the dusters took their time and did it right. Although long-time fans of the band will recognize such live favorites as “The Truck Won’t Start” and “This Ain’t No Jukebox…We’re A Rock ‘N Roll Band,” other cuts shine as well.

The dusters’ cover of Savoy Brown’s “Hellbound Train” smokes the original, achieving in three to four minutes what the original took thirteen to accomplish; “Phantom of the Strip,” “Street Legal,” and “Blues Highway,” all dusters’ originals, bristle with bluesy energy and rock and roll fury. Ken McMahan’s growling, guttural vocals are well-matched to his searing guitar style, while Dave Barnette’s solid bass lines and drummer Chris Sherlock’s pounding rhythms round out the (still maturing) dusters sound. This Ain’t No Jukebox… is the album that George Thorogood should have made, as a new generation of white boys pick up the blues-rock torch. (The Metro, 1991)

GUILT
Thru the Night
Long-time Nashville cult-heroes deliver a strong five-song, twenty-minute EP with Thru the Night. Lovingly produced by Steve Earle, the disc showcases the band’s impressive, innate abilities (which are often overshadowed by the cult of personality that has evolved around the band). The music is somber, passionate Goth-rock, heavily influenced by the works of Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy, and Joy Division while retaining a metal-influenced edge.

Guitarist Chuck Allen’s six-string soars at times, providing some honestly thrilling moments, while Skot Nelson’s bass playing is an important part of the mix, throbbing with visceral delight. Toss in vocalist Tommy McRae’s primal vocals and one will find Thru the Night to be an excellent intro to one of the Music City’s longest-lived and exciting bands. (Radical Pizza, 1991)

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Alive At JC’s
What’s the matter, Bunkie...bored to tears over the same old nifty fifty as heard over your “all-of-the-hits-all-of-the-time!” radio station? Heavy metal misogyny, hard rock histrionics, and empty-vee got you down? Well, cheer up…because in Green Hills, tucked away on Bandywood Drive is a quiet, unassuming establishment by the name of JC’s, a wonderful club offering up great food, a selection of imported beers, and the very best in jazz music as performed by a truly talented roster of the Music City’s top artists.
    
Alive At JC’s is a cassette compilation of material performed live by three of the hottest and most popular acts to appear on the JC’s stage. The tape opens with Funktion, their trademark sound revolving around the dancing, soulful saxwork of Jeff Kirk, and buoyed up by the sparking keyboards of Micky Basil and the searing, fluid guitar lines of Stan Lassiter. Bassist Bob Burns, keyboarding Kevin Madill, and percussionist Dale Armstrong fill in the edges, producing a sound as tight and clear and flowing as you’ll ever find.

Apollo follows, presenting a unique jazz/funk fusion style that’ll brighten your day every day. The basic guitar (Cliff Richmonds) – bass (Carl Dobbins) – drums (Stan Smith) formula is fleshed out in Apollo with the addition of keyboardist Ted Wilson, Jamie Nichols’ congas, and the wailing reed of Mark Douthit. The result is an exhilarating and original sound that’ll have you humming these melodies for days. The superstar assemblage Rush Hour closes the tape, featuring the talents of Apollo’s Douthit on sax, and Funktion’s Madill alongside a number of impressive hornmen and rhythm players. Rush Hour’s sound illustrates improvisation as only the jazz art form can encourage, never sounding clichéd or derivative.

Although the bands represented on this collection will surely go onto greater venues and increased prominence, you can rest assured that JC’s owner “Chick” Cicatelli will always present the freshest and most talented artists in the world of jazz. If you’re truly bored and disgusted with commercial hacks and music that all sounds alike, go on down to JC’s and see what the real artists are doing...and if you like what you hear, ask “Chick” about the Alive At JC’s cassette…you’ll be glad you did! (The Metro, 1986)