Too funny - from the "review" on iTunes:
Too bad the joke is on the band. None of Croakin at Toad's' eight songs is anything more than an excuse for extended, indulgent soloing. Imagine a Santana rehearsal from the early '70s with a stoned Toots Thielemans sitting in on harp. Oh, this project might have been a fun distraction for the participants, but for many fans it will be merely distracting. Maybe you had to be there, like back in the '70s.
Funny post Heineken and while I'll agree with you on the "harmonica" part. I would much prefer being hit on the scotum with a rubber mallet than subjected to John Popper in any way shape or form. However, I love good instrumental music. I believe most ABB fans do. And the relationship that Derek and Jmmy Herring have is a thing of beauty. Somewhere down the line I look for them to work together again. Self indulgent solo? No more than IMOER or "Jessica", etc. "Kicking Bach" is a great tune both here and on the DTB's second release (I believe.) Actually the other musicianship on this record - Butch, Kofi, Otiel, Derek, Jimmy - negate the negative vibe that is John Popper. I got this CD when it was released because of Jimmy and Derek and wasn't dissappointef even with the presence of John Popper. Did I mention I can't stand John Popper.
I much preferred the earlier shows with Edwin McCain singing. There was one less soloist without Popper. They also used to do a great version of the Tower of Power's "Don't Change Horses."
Blooby
wish they would put out more of this stuff with either singer
I too would have much rather heard Edwin McCain.
"Imagine a Santana rehearsal from the early '70s with a stoned Toots Thielemans sitting in on harp."
That sounds freaking AWESOME! What moron considers that an insult?
I never have understood the appeal of Edwin McCain, or the folks who prefer Frogwings with him over Frogwings with John Popper. I know Popper has his downside, but McCain always came off as a total cheeseball hack to me.
Even if you don't like Popper's harp playing, he is a much better songwriter than Edwin McCain will ever be, and about as good a singer. I don't get it.
Put the bong down and back away ... There is no upside to Popper. Period. He is hands down the most pompous ass in music. Edwin McCain is a great singer and songwriter. You may not like his music but it's 10x better than the crap that is Blues Traveler and John Popper.
A great album, though I can do without his constant chatter..otherwise he fits right in..I have a copy of a show with McCain..I prefer Popper
In my mind John Popper is the Kenny G of harmonic players.
Can't get into John Poppers singing.
In my mind John Popper is the Kenny G of harmonic players.
I've always called John Popper the "Yngwie Malmsteen of the harp" and is not intended as a compliment. I have some Blues Traveler around, but I find JP to be too much in many (Not all) live settings. He does surprise me at times, though.
As for Edwin, I can see where people would be put off by him as most of his stuff is overly produced and overtly sappy. Having said that, I enjoyed him in Frogwings and the early boots floating around of him, Warren, and Kevin Kinney. He's got a great voice if it's serving decent material.
Out the door to go kayak camping. Man, I have been looking forward to this.
Take care, all.
Blooby
Blooby is just killing it in this last post with apt descriptions...
"I've always called John Popper the "Yngwie Malmsteen of the harp" and is not intended as a compliment."
The Yngwie comparison is pretty spot on, and not in a way that reflects well on Popper.
"As for Edwin, I can see where people would be put off by him as most of his stuff is overly produced and overtly sappy."
Thank you. That is pretty much where I am coming from on McCain.
Anyway, I'm sorry to have derailed this thread with the whole Popper/McCain debate. The thing about Frogwings that deserves to be remembered and celebrated is that regardless of frontman, they were one of the best and most powerful "jam bands" to ever walk the Earth.
Hopefully this changes someday, but for now, if you want to hear Jimmy and Derek together, this is still what I reach for above all else. The dual guitar lines, the incredible solos, it's just an amazing display of the special bond they have together.
Associating anyone with John Popper is the ultimate in derogatory comment. Apologies are owed Messrs. G and Malmsteen. Anyway I'm glad to discuss Jimmy and Derek. Out of The Madness is my touchstone for a taste of what their collaboration could be. I like it because a little of Jimmy's GIT 80's metal side is revealed. As for Jimmy's playing the Jazz Is Dead stuff still blows me away. When I was first introduced to Jimmy (I believe) was at a Derek Trucks Band show when Derek was 14 (?). They had Yonrico and Todd but a lead singer and no McKay (again I believe). The only people at the show were me, my buddy, his girlfriend and the kitchen help. Still one of my favorite shows.
There is a serious problem with your band if people are debating Edwin McCain vs. John Popper. That's like Keller Williams vs. Chris Barron.
I remember sampling this album when it came out, and even high school me thought the ode to "Ganja" was incredibly stupid and the lyrics to most of the songs were insanely dumb. I'm sure the Trucks/Herring interplay is solid, but today this sounds even worse to me - like bad 1990s college rock. Well, like Blues Traveler.
Why have I never heard of Yngwie Malmsteen?
Why have I never heard of Yngwie Malmsteen?
He's one of those guys who only people who subscribe to guitar magazines have heard of.
I, too, much preferred McCain to Popper. Ganja? No, thanks. I like McCain's version ( can't remember the name) so much better. I just liked the vibe better.
That said, when I discovered Frogwings last summer, Amongst Your Pillows hit me like very few songs ever have. It just takes me to other places every time I hear it. I don't know who's responsible for the music on it, but boy did they write a winner. ( Anyone with any ideas on the lyrics, please share. I've got some of them figured out, but I just can't understand all of what he sings.)
Oh. Pattern is way cool, too.
I was at one of the wetlands frog wings shows. It was great to experience but I don't listen to the record too much. Just hearing butch 's drums in a tiny club was cool and the jimmy herring/ Derek combo was incredible . I think it was about a year before Derek joined the Abb. looking back I think Butch might have been prepping Derek for the bigger stage and playing with another guitarist.
I don't recall Popper really annoying me. I liked blues traveler in the early 90s. They put on some fun shows IMO. Popper is ok in small doses.
There are some early Derek Trucks shows with Jimmy the are worth checking out as well. There is no Edwin or Popper, but Jimmy had a Strat with humbuckers, so we can all debate that now. Non sequitor 1: has anyone ever seen single-coils in a Les Paul or SG? I'm not talking coil taps either...I'm talking Strat or Tele-sized single coils.
Anyway, type "Herring Trucks" into the search window of the Internet Archive, and they'll pop up. Actually, the first time I saw Herring was at a Derek Trucks tiny, tiny club show in Gainesville, FL. I remember thinking as Jimmy set up that I didn't want to hear a second guitar player. That was before they started. Fond memories of that one. I also remember Jimmy trying to get me to drink coffee while we were BS'ing after the show because I appeared/was tanked. He will always be on my nice guy list for that.
Enjoy Sunday, all.
Blooby
p.s.-Not that anybody is interested but the kayak camping was a bust. We were on a river in Central Florida with lots of Cypress swamps, so there were a finite number of campsites. Every one of them was filled up with either families or church groups. Whereas I usually see 4-5 people over the course of this ten or so mile run, we saw over hundred on this trip. We paddled through to our take-out, and I walked in the door at 1:00 or so.
[Edited on 3/15/2015 by Blooby]
I`m a fan its wonderful. wish they`d do more shows...
In my mind John Popper is the Kenny G of harmonic players.
There was a time I enjoyed listening to Kenny G. Of course that was when he was a sideman playing sax for Jeff Lorber Fushion. That band was excellent, and I had a chance to see them live...very good in concert. Not much a fan of Kenny G's sappy solo stuff.
When I saw Butch at the Alan Paul book signing, I asked him if there was any chance of a Frogwings reunion...He shook his head sadly and said " no, but that was a great band..just a great band"
