Jelly Roll - Captain Strange (CD)

Bluesy jams that make you want more

By John  Jul 21, 2009

Pros: Catchy tunes, tight band, sounds live in the studio

Cons: Limited range of emotions, not as good as they were in concert

Jelly Roll was a force to be reckoned with in the early '90's if you were in the Atlanta area. I saw them throughout their growth as one of the South's premier jam bands. At their peak they opened for DMB and Hootie. This cd was released ...before they underwent many personnel changes, so in a way it marked a period that was fondly remembered for road trips to the neighboring states of Florida & Alabama. The songs are rock based, perhaps sounding a bit like Allman Brothers with the hammond organ and Derek Trucks inspired slide licks. Doug McCombs blazed hot guitar all over this venture, although his time in the band wasn't for long - nice that they caught him on disk. Fish's blues harp has a sweet "Little Walter" tone that sit great in the mix - just the right amount of technique as opposed to Popper's histronics. The rhythm section of Hancotte & Buroughs sounds nimble and yet ready to rumble, perhaps a rock version of Garrison & Jones from Coltrane's quartet. To many, Kris Gloer was Jelly Roll, so ultimately this was his showcase. He assembled a very sympathetic crew to render his Georgia-Boy blues tunes in perhaps a more progressive slant than he could have envisioned on his own. Highlights for me are "She Comes Home", certainly a nod to Duane in the riff, and the jam-happy "Gettin' Back To That" with Feedback's bass nailing the Jaco-esque groove like an ornery Jack Russel gone wild. Crank it up and call it a party - it's 1994 all over again as long as this is in yer iPod! When will they reunite and make some tracks more like these? Read more Less