The
Codetalkers with Col. Bruce Hampton
Self-titled
Harmonized Records
By Art HowardAnyone
who picks up the Codetalkers'
self-titled debut hoping for a sampling
of what makes Col. Bruce Hampton a legend
will instead hear a disc that lacks true
musical voodoo. For the uninitiated, the
zenith of Hampton's career thus far is
the Aquarium Rescue Unit, which had a
nice run in the early '90s as a featured
band on the H.O.R.D.E. tour with
Widespread Panic and Phish. Hampton
actually co-organized that tour, helping
to bring the jam scene from the
underground to the
not-quite-above-ground.
As
for his latest project, all the elements
of another great Hampton-led band are
there -- impeccable musicianship, lack of
concern for genre. But the hypnotic
factor that informs his best
collaborations is absent. The music is
mostly passable country rock and
occasional stabs at jazz -- suitable for
middle-act status at the Star Bar on a
Saturday night, sure. But this is the
Colonel. Fans expect more.
But
is this really a Col. Bruce band? Hampton
sings only three of the 10 songs. The
rest are sung by guitarist Bobby Lee
Rodgers. And keep in mind: This is the
Codetalkers with Col. Bruce
Hampton. Maybe he's just dropping in to
be nice. If so, he's absolved of all
blame.
|
