20-06-2022, 18:31
(This post was last modified: 21-06-2022, 09:38 by Ruby.
Edit Reason: Went to the adjective shop. Too many 'blisterings'! :-D
)
SKUNK BAXTER ~ Speed of Heat
![[Image: 418466807514:1000.jpg]](https://s3.amazonaws.com/broadtime_thumbnails/514/418466807514/418466807514:1000.jpg)
Well the first track of this debut solo album gallops along – literally! And then he does an eclectic and blistering version of “Apache” halfway through the release too. Mr Jeffrey Allen Baxter (as I’m sure he is known in his other life – that of a defense consultant), is a well-seasoned session musician who has appeared on albums by, and has worked with, a veritable host of artists - Willy DeVille, Bryan Adams, Eric Clapton, Gene Clark, Sheryl Crow, Tim Weisberg, Joni Mitchell, Ricky Nelson, Dolly Parton, Carly Simon, Ringo Starr, Gene Simmons, Rod Stewart, Barbra Streisand, Spirit, The Best, and so on and so forth, ad nauseum. He is what is known as a first-call studio musician.
Somehow, all that plus his stints with Steely Dan (founding member) and the Doobie Brothers don’t quite marry with the whole missile defence thing in my brain, however, upon investigation – it’s the interest in technology, both recording and aviation, that led him along that particular path. Wait - what’s this I’m hearing – could it be Michael McDonald? No info re the credits all in one place yet but yep – it’s that man alright. Sounding not too shabby either. Written by the Skunk, CJ Vanston (who co-writes several of the original numbers and plays quite a big role overall from what I can tell – composer, producer and keyboardist) and MMcD together.
A combination of covers, originals and instrumentals – and instrumental covers! David Paich pops up as do a handful of guest vocalists as that’s not his strong suit, although he seems to acquit himself ok on the Steely Dan cover he does take on. One of those ubiquitous guitarists everyone in the world has heard somewhere along the road.
This album is a mix of rock/blues/blue-eyed soul and fusion. Somehow it all works. It’s a take no prisoners listen but there’s also texture, colour and mood in properly expert hands. I like it – really enjoyed all the different vibes - even the Clint Black track – ye gods!! Cool grooves IMHO – wouldn’t mind betting that the entire crew had a blast making this one. Aside from the obvious covers “My Old School”, “Do It Again”, “Apache”, “The Rose”, I’m not sure who should be credited with what.
A selection of what’s available … (LOL – just noticed I’ve posted 8 of the 12 tracks!) …
“Ladies from Hell” (an Irish jig which apparently celebrates the fear Scottish soldiers instil in their enemies, which all sounds a bit muddled, but hey – that’s what they said …) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8cW-y3GkPQ
A rambunctious rendition of “My Old School” – the striped one on vocals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtQbYVFIB6s
“Juliet” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIlTNZYY2r0
“Bad Move” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LllXl89UBEU
“Insecurity” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPuwo9ReHRg
“Giselle” – probably the most laidback track – different to everything else – has a luminous quality - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgcPvUjcFX8
“Speed of Heat” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zhfPGLg2jY
“My Place in the Sun” -
Well the first track of this debut solo album gallops along – literally! And then he does an eclectic and blistering version of “Apache” halfway through the release too. Mr Jeffrey Allen Baxter (as I’m sure he is known in his other life – that of a defense consultant), is a well-seasoned session musician who has appeared on albums by, and has worked with, a veritable host of artists - Willy DeVille, Bryan Adams, Eric Clapton, Gene Clark, Sheryl Crow, Tim Weisberg, Joni Mitchell, Ricky Nelson, Dolly Parton, Carly Simon, Ringo Starr, Gene Simmons, Rod Stewart, Barbra Streisand, Spirit, The Best, and so on and so forth, ad nauseum. He is what is known as a first-call studio musician.
Somehow, all that plus his stints with Steely Dan (founding member) and the Doobie Brothers don’t quite marry with the whole missile defence thing in my brain, however, upon investigation – it’s the interest in technology, both recording and aviation, that led him along that particular path. Wait - what’s this I’m hearing – could it be Michael McDonald? No info re the credits all in one place yet but yep – it’s that man alright. Sounding not too shabby either. Written by the Skunk, CJ Vanston (who co-writes several of the original numbers and plays quite a big role overall from what I can tell – composer, producer and keyboardist) and MMcD together.
A combination of covers, originals and instrumentals – and instrumental covers! David Paich pops up as do a handful of guest vocalists as that’s not his strong suit, although he seems to acquit himself ok on the Steely Dan cover he does take on. One of those ubiquitous guitarists everyone in the world has heard somewhere along the road.
This album is a mix of rock/blues/blue-eyed soul and fusion. Somehow it all works. It’s a take no prisoners listen but there’s also texture, colour and mood in properly expert hands. I like it – really enjoyed all the different vibes - even the Clint Black track – ye gods!! Cool grooves IMHO – wouldn’t mind betting that the entire crew had a blast making this one. Aside from the obvious covers “My Old School”, “Do It Again”, “Apache”, “The Rose”, I’m not sure who should be credited with what.
A selection of what’s available … (LOL – just noticed I’ve posted 8 of the 12 tracks!) …
“Ladies from Hell” (an Irish jig which apparently celebrates the fear Scottish soldiers instil in their enemies, which all sounds a bit muddled, but hey – that’s what they said …) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8cW-y3GkPQ
A rambunctious rendition of “My Old School” – the striped one on vocals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtQbYVFIB6s
“Juliet” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIlTNZYY2r0
“Bad Move” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LllXl89UBEU
“Insecurity” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPuwo9ReHRg
“Giselle” – probably the most laidback track – different to everything else – has a luminous quality - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgcPvUjcFX8
“Speed of Heat” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zhfPGLg2jY
“My Place in the Sun” -
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson