True to the album's title, it has been eight years since the last platter of original material from Webb Wilder. Although this disc -- his sixth since 1989 -- isn't worth a wait of that length, it is a terrific addition to the rather meager Wilder catalog. Produced by longtime cohort R.S. Field, who also pens nearly half of the tracks, Wilder utilizes his deep baritone voice and edgy twang band to energize '50s rockers, frisky swamp pop, country blues, surf, and twang nuggets. To his credit, original Field rockers like "Miss Missy from Ol' Hong Kong" sound like the obscure covers that Wilder resurrects from rock & roll's dusty past. Wilder's eclectic catalog-raiding ranges from Tommy Overstreet's honky tonk "If You're Looking for a Fool" to Johnny Burnette's "Little Boy Sad" and Cliff Richards' "Move It." He also unearths "Jimmy Reed Is the King of Rock and Roll," a comparatively new tune from the underappreciated Kevin Gordon, and kicks the album off in high gear with a sizzling version of Big Al Downing's "Down On the Farm." Wilder displays his dry humor on "Scattergun," a tongue-in-cheek Western story-ballad out of the "High Noon"/"The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance"-styled '60s songbook. Horns pep up a few tracks, such as the Chuck Berry-ish "Battle of the Bands," and Wilder even stops by the tiki lounge for a pedal steel-driven weeper, "Old Copper Penny." But judging from "The Only One," a rugged, shadowy, midtempo burner co-composed with Chuck Prophet and the album's most serious tune, Wilder should include more of his own originals when he gets around to making another album -- which hopefully will not come after another eight-year wait, because this collection is such loose fun. Occasionally the energy lags, but About Time is a rollicking party from one of Americana's less recognized but most talented and knowledgeable artists. ~ Hal Horowitz
(*) MP3 for this song is from a different CD. Listen to the sound sample to be sure this is the version you're looking for.
About Time Music Review
Customer About Time Reviews
Average Rating: (5 out of 5 stars)
If It's Webb Wilder, Than It Has To Be Good! He's a rockin' fool with lots of twang and rockabilly. But where's Hybrid Vigor and Doo Dad here? His best two are not here. Glad I have both of them. Heard they are out of print and the probability of them coming back is nill. Those of you who own those two gems hang on to them and don't ever part with them. I rest my case. Submitted by Johnny (I live in a van down by the river) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
It's "ABOUT TIME" and worth the wait! It's been a long time, far too long, but this album easily meets and exceeds expectations. It contains elements of everything that Webb Wilder fans have enjoyed in the past...the fun, the humor, the variety and the talent. Webb Wilder the man and Webb Wilder the band are in fine form throughout 15 tracks of brand spankin' new material. (Actually 14...the last track is an instrumental version of "Scattergun", one of the 14 other tracks.) Webb may be "so low that (he) could sit on a dime and swing (his) feet", but this album is really a mixture high, low and wall to wall. Personal favorites are the tracks "I Just Had To Laugh", "If You're Looking For A Fool", "Scattergun" and "Battle Of The Bands", but everything here is so good that if you ask me tomorrow, my list of favorites may be radically different. The main point here is this...if you're a fan of Webb Wilder and have enjoyed the previous albums, you WILL NOT be disappointed with this one. For the uninitiated, if you're tired of the limits of what commercial radio is currently offering and you want some great music mixed with a lot of fun, this isn't a bad place to start. Purchase this album as well as the "Deluxe" version of "It Came From Nashville" and give them a try. If you like them, and chances are you will, you can try to seek out the out of print titles. All in all though, if it says "Webb Wilder" on the cover, you won't be disappointed. Submitted by Part of the Loving Public (Beautiful North Reading, Massachusetts) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Webb Wilder is BACK!!! Wow it's been 9 years since the world has been treated to new music by Webb Wilder and the Nashvegans. What a great set by the band. In "Wilderian"
fashion, it covers both kinds of music, Rock AND Roll, as well as Country, Blues, and tales of the West. Let's hope Radio will play it and say it. Webb Wilder IS IN FACT, an ELECTRIFYING ARTIST!!! Submitted by LEEDLMK (North of Boston, MA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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