John Popper - The John Popper Project
John Popper, of course, is best known as "that fat guy in Blues Traveler." I must admit I didn't ever hear of them until "Runaround" when they were on MTV every 15 minutes. And I wasn't impressed. Then for some reason I went and checked out their earlier stuff and became more of a fan. I preferred songs like "But Anyway" or "Regarding Steven" than their hits. To this day, I swear "Hook" is just Pachelbel's "Canon in D."
In September of 2001 I was lucky enough to finally see Blues Traveler. Popper and crew were amazing. Popper had just recently undergone gastric bypass surgery so we were surprised by the relatively thin man who walked out on stage. I wish I could remember more about that night, but the very next Tuesday our world changed, and that is the day from that month I remember instead.
For this solo album Popper is joined by turntablist DJ Logic, and Blues Traveler bassist Tad Kinchla. It's a new sound to me, Popper's harmonica and vocals with a intricate bass work, and turntables. I haven't listened to much turntable music, but I kind of like what I hear on this album.
The album kicks off with "Lapdance" which reminds of the downtempo, trip-hop music I recently have gotten into. There's flute in the background, in a Jethro Tull-like style. Popper's vocal is as recognizable as usual, and the beat is infective.
Another highlight of the album is a tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina called "Louisiana Sky." Popper sings the chorus while who I assume to be DJ Logic raps "We struggle underneath the Louisiana sky, It's slim pickings but we take a slice of humble pie,Beneath the yellow sky our spirits is strong, Louisiana let's rock on." The song criticizes the government handling of the crisis, while paying respects the region's rich history.
My personal favorite on the CD is "Trigger." This song is the song that reminds me of old-fashioned Blues Traveler, at least lyric wise. It's got Kinchla plunking away at a seriously complicated bass riff, while Popper sings about how his baby won't pull the trigger and end their doomed relationship, followed by his trademark harmonica. This is the song I'll be listening to for years.
"Horses" is Blues Traveler meets Trip-Hop meets India (or some similar exotic country.) It's got the length of the typical Blues Traveler jam, but just sounds so... different.
Overall, I'm undecided still on this CD. It's combining music I like, but I'm not sure that's what I want to hear from Popper. I guess it will grow on me with repeated listening, but a lot of it comes across as background music to me. Still, I will probably keep returning to it from time to time to see how it grows on me.
For further reading:
Blues Traveler's homepage
All Music Guide's John Popper entry
Wikipedia's John Popper entry
In September of 2001 I was lucky enough to finally see Blues Traveler. Popper and crew were amazing. Popper had just recently undergone gastric bypass surgery so we were surprised by the relatively thin man who walked out on stage. I wish I could remember more about that night, but the very next Tuesday our world changed, and that is the day from that month I remember instead.
For this solo album Popper is joined by turntablist DJ Logic, and Blues Traveler bassist Tad Kinchla. It's a new sound to me, Popper's harmonica and vocals with a intricate bass work, and turntables. I haven't listened to much turntable music, but I kind of like what I hear on this album.
The album kicks off with "Lapdance" which reminds of the downtempo, trip-hop music I recently have gotten into. There's flute in the background, in a Jethro Tull-like style. Popper's vocal is as recognizable as usual, and the beat is infective.
Another highlight of the album is a tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina called "Louisiana Sky." Popper sings the chorus while who I assume to be DJ Logic raps "We struggle underneath the Louisiana sky, It's slim pickings but we take a slice of humble pie,Beneath the yellow sky our spirits is strong, Louisiana let's rock on." The song criticizes the government handling of the crisis, while paying respects the region's rich history.
My personal favorite on the CD is "Trigger." This song is the song that reminds me of old-fashioned Blues Traveler, at least lyric wise. It's got Kinchla plunking away at a seriously complicated bass riff, while Popper sings about how his baby won't pull the trigger and end their doomed relationship, followed by his trademark harmonica. This is the song I'll be listening to for years.
"Horses" is Blues Traveler meets Trip-Hop meets India (or some similar exotic country.) It's got the length of the typical Blues Traveler jam, but just sounds so... different.
Overall, I'm undecided still on this CD. It's combining music I like, but I'm not sure that's what I want to hear from Popper. I guess it will grow on me with repeated listening, but a lot of it comes across as background music to me. Still, I will probably keep returning to it from time to time to see how it grows on me.
For further reading:
Blues Traveler's homepage
All Music Guide's John Popper entry
Wikipedia's John Popper entry
Labels: Blues Traveler, DJ Logic, John Popper, Tad Kinchla
posted by Tom at 7:24 PM
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