Tracks:
But Anyway
Gina
Mulling It Over
100 Years
Dropping Some NYC
Crystal Flame
Slow Change
Warmer Days
Gotta Get Mean
Alone
Sweet Talking Hippie
Performer Notes:
- Blues Traveler: John Popper (vocals, harmonica, 12-string acoustic guitar); Chan Kinchla (guitar); Bobby Sheehan (bass); Brendan Hill (drums, percussion).
- Additional personnel: Master Arnie Lawrence D.M.F. (soprano saxophone); Howie Wyeth (piano); Justin Niebank (handclaps); Kevin Traynor, Chris Barron, Joan Osborne (background vocals).
- Recorded at RPM, New York, New York from February 19 to March 3, 1990.
- Personnel: John Popper (vocals, 12-string guitar, harmonica); Howie Wyeth (piano); Brendan Hill (drums, percussion); Chris Barron , Joan Osborne (background vocals).
- Audio Mixer: Justin Niebank.
- Recording information: RPM, New York, NY (02/19/1990-03/03/1990).
- Photographer: Nola Lopez.
- Arranger: Justin Niebank.
- Though Blues Traveler wouldn't have their big pop breakthrough hit, "Runaround," for another four years, they were already a popular live draw by the time of their 1990 self-titled debut. As perhaps the prototypical jam band, Blues Traveler's played live sets that were ever-changing affairs, but this loose, organic-sounding album is a more than fair approximation of the group's early sound, both in the fluid song structures and the way that singer and harmonica player John Popper thoroughly dominates the proceedings. The lengthy songs spiral out into platforms for Popper's conversational, laid-back vocal style and his genuinely great chromatic harp solos (Stevie Wonder is the only better player in the pop realm). The nearly 10-minute "Crystal Flame" is the album's centerpiece, but other elongated, shaggy tunes like "Alone" and the sarcastic rave-up closer "Sweet Talking Hippie" are equally entertaining.
Producer: Justin Niebank
Format: CD (1 Disc); Stereo
Country: USA
Studio/Live: Studio
Guest Artist: Joan Osborne; Chris Barron
Release Date: 5 June, 1990
Label: BLUES TRAVELER
Dimensions: 14.2 x 1.2 x 12.4 centimeters (0.03 kg)