shows. I remember as a teenager watching the show with my Dad, and back then what we mostly saw were great country acts, sprin- kled with blues, bluegrass and Americana be- fore Americana was cool. Over the years, the show stretched their boundaries into every- thing from alt-rock to new wave and all points in between. Among the latest archived shows to be
released by New West Records is a bombastic live show from Guided By Voices. Recorded in November, 2004, this was one of the band’s final performances. After 20-plus years, 24 albums, band founder and leader Robert Pol- lard decided to retire the band, but not before delivering a show that pulled out all the stops. It’s all here, two CD’s and one DVD
filled with many of Pollard’s wildest, most fun tunes including “Gold Star for Robot Boy,” “Dayton, Ohio,” and the lovely (an adjective one doesn’t get to use a lot with Pollard) “Window of My World.” And the hits just keep on coming with “Cut Out Witch,” “Trac- tor Rape Chain,” “Echo’s Myron” and many, many more. While his vocal chops are slightly better, Pollard, to me, still falls into that same insane-genius category that gave us Captain Beefheart. Col. Bruce Hampton and John D. Wyker. Fun for the whole family. Up next, we have a man who can truly
be called a “guitar genius.” Sure, it’s a term that gets tossed around with the frequency of a cheap ham radio, but in the case of Eric Johnson, it holds true in spades. This set, recorded back in 1989, Johnson wowed the Austin City Limits audience with his guitar mastery, often displaying hints of his major influences, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck and Jerry Reed. No one trick pony, Johnson has re- ceived numerous accolades over the years from Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Johnny Win- ter, Chet Atkins and many others. “Love or Confusion” is an apt cover of
the Hendrix original, and then he turns around and plays a hopping “Steve’s Boogie,”
an instrumental with a solid country influ- ence. Johnson is a great writer, and his “Trail of Tears” begins with a lovely guitar interlude before kicking into a really nice melodic rocker reminiscent of Drivin’ n’ Cryin.’ A true highlight of the set is Johnson’s
famous “Cliffs of Dover,” an instrumental tour de force. The entire hour long set is non- stop fire on the fingertips, closing with an- other nod to Jimi Hendrix, a nearly seven minute jam on “Are You Experienced?” So, to wrap up, if you are a Guided By
Voices fan, you will love their release. As for this writer, it was my first ever experience with them, but I was drawn to the artistry in much the same way I was always drawn to Col. Bruce Hampton. Good stuff to be sure, but for special tastes, whereas the Eric John- son album would win over any guitar loving, rock and roll fan even if they’d never heard him play a note. Quite a treat. Get you some.
-Michael Buffalo Smith
Rocky Athas Shakin’ the Dust (Cherryburst Records)
With this being the
300th installment of Phillycheeze’s Rock and Blues Reviews, I
wanted to use this milestone issue to honor blues-guitar great, Rocky Athas, who has just released this fabulous new album, Shakin’ the Dust. Produced by the legendary Jim Gaines and jam-packed with a truck-load of Texas blues, this eleven-track record is a true gem. In the studio with Athas is his son Rocky Athas II on bass guitar, and drummer Walter Watson. Together they form one hell of a power-trio. Athas fires off a blazing performance
on “You Pushed Me Too Far”, an outstanding 52
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