Pig In A Can You Can't Poison A Pig CD

A band name like Pig in a Can leads the listener to hope that this modern blues project owes more to Captain Beefheart than Robert Cray. Indeed, tracks like the spookily atmospheric title song, basically a found piece of rural philosophy by Harmonica Slim set to an ambient-blues backdrop, are effectively weird. Unfortunately, the proper songs suffer from a severe skronk deficit; "Tried to Get Along" wouldn't sound out of place on a Moby album, and "Don't Leave Me Baby" sounds like someone has attempted a mash-up of an old Lightnin' Slim outtake with the rhythm track from a mid-'80s Ministry song. At its best, electric blues can often have a chaotic, edge-of-madness feel, as the emotions of the lyrics and passion of the playing threaten to erupt unexpectedly. By the end of You Can't Poison a Pig, it's clear that this collective is simply too restrained for that. It would help if the pig wanted to get out of his can a little more often. ~ Stewart Mason

Live Recording

Recorded at The Halfway House, Altadena, California and The Washroom, Silverlake, California.

Personnel: Harmonica Slim (vocals, harmonica); John "Sly" Wilson (guitar, fife, electric piano, keyboards, box, electronics, turntables); Michael Kott (electric cello); Gary Tharp (keyboards); Chris Millar (drums); Kelly Jones (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Gary Tharp.

Recording information: The Halfway House, Altadena, CA; The Washroom, Silverlake, CA.

Pig In A Can includes: Harmonica Slim (vocals, harmonica); John Wilson (various instruments).