Dancing on the Edge
By Roy Buchanan
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Track listing
- A1 Peter Gunn
- A2 The Chokin Kind
- A3 Jungle Gym
- A4 Drowning on Dry Land
- A5 Petal to the Metal
- B1 You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover
- B2 Cream of the Crop
- B3 Beer Drinking Woman
- B4 Whiplash
- B5 Baby Baby Baby
- B6 Matthew
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4 Issues
2 Reviews
Co-produced by Roy Buchanan, Bruce Iglauer, and Dick Shurman, 1986's "Dancing On the Edge" was Buchanan's second collection for the Chicago based Alligator Records. Perhaps because it played down Buchanan's blues chops, it's always been one of my Buchanan albums. That's not to say this was a Buchanan stab at top-40 success, but tracks like hsi remake of 'Peter Gunn' and the instrumental 'Pedal To the Metal' were surprisingly commercial. The fact Delbert McClinton joined the band for three selections ('The Chokin' Kind', 'You Can't Judge a Book By It's Cover', and 'Baby, Baby. Baby') was just icing on the cake. To be honest, this album probably wasn't going to change your opinion of Buchanan one way or the other. To my ears it was a wonderful example of the man's almost magical skill on guitar. Exemplified by tracks like his cover of 'Drowning On Dry Land' (with Buchanan handling lead vocals), and originals like 'Jungle Gym', 'Whiplash', and the closer 'matthew', he was lightening quick, highly melodic, seldom played unnecessary note, but was capable of shredding with the best of them. As you probably guessed, the three collaborations with McClinton were the standout performances, but the entire album was worth a spin.
"Dancing On the Edge" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Peter Gunn (instrumental) (Henry Mancini) - 3:13 rating: **** stars
I suspect Henry Mancini never expected to hear this tune played with such flair and energy ...Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever heard the song played with such gusto. Simply killer. A tune you can't sit still though.
2.) The Chokin' Kind (Harlan Howard)- 3:11 rating: **** stars
One of three tunes to feature the great Delbert McClinton on vocals. As much as I love the Joe Simon version, I think this cover might be even better. How can you not love a tune with lyrics like "If you don't like the peaches, walk by the tree" ? McClinton was in tiptop shape (one of rock's finest voices) and Buchanan turned in one of his sweetest solos. This should have been a single for the pair.
3.) Jungle Gym (instrumental) (Roy Buchanan) - 3:05 rating: *** stars
A rare Buchanan original, the instrumental 'Jungle Gym' was surprisingly commercial, though I seem to detect just a touch of the 'Batman Theme' in the melody.
4.) Drowning On Dry Land (Mickey Gregory - Alan Jones) - 6:18 rating: **** stars
I grew up with the Albert King and O.V. Wright versions of this blues classic, but I have to tell you Buchanan's version was every it as good and infinitely sadder since within two years the man would take his own life after being arrest and jailed for public intoxication. So sad ...
5.) Petal To the Metal (instrumental) (Roy Buchanan) - 2:26 rating: *** stars
Another Buchanan original, I'm not a guitar player, but the man could get such amazing tone out of his telecaster.
(side 2)
1.) You Can't Judge a Book By It's Cover (Willie Dixon) - 3:20 rating: **** stars
With McClinton on vocals, this was easily the funkiest version of the Willie Dixon classic I've ever heard.
2.) Cream of the Crop (instrumental) (Roy Buchanan) - 2:35 rating: *** stars
Another Buchanan original, the instrumental 'Cream of the Crop' almost had a garage rock edge. Nice.
3.) Beer Drinking Woman (Chatman) - 4:45 rating: *** stars
Buchanan actually had a nice voice, but seemed reluctant to apply it. The album's lone blues number, his cover of 'Beer Drinking Woman' was a perfect example with Buchanan kind of talk-singing his way through the tune. His stunning solo kind of made up for the vocals.
4.) Whiplash (instrumental) (Roy Buchanan) - 2:26 rating: *** stars
The album's most pop-oriented instrumental.
5.) Baby, Baby, Baby (Aretha Franklin - Carolyn Franklin) - 4:23 rating: **** stars
It won't make you forget Aretha's version, but it came close and her version didn't have Buchanan's shimmering solo on it. McClinton really does have a special voice.
6.) Matthew (instrumental) (Roy Buchanan) - 2:02 rating: **** stars
'Matthew' closed the album with a gorgeous instrumental that would not have sounded out of place on a Mark Knopfler soundtrack album - think along the lines of "Local Hero".
(side 1)
1.) Peter Gunn (instrumental) (Henry Mancini) - 3:13 rating: **** stars
I suspect Henry Mancini never expected to hear this tune played with such flair and energy ...Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever heard the song played with such gusto. Simply killer. A tune you can't sit still though.
2.) The Chokin' Kind (Harlan Howard)- 3:11 rating: **** stars
One of three tunes to feature the great Delbert McClinton on vocals. As much as I love the Joe Simon version, I think this cover might be even better. How can you not love a tune with lyrics like "If you don't like the peaches, walk by the tree" ? McClinton was in tiptop shape (one of rock's finest voices) and Buchanan turned in one of his sweetest solos. This should have been a single for the pair.
3.) Jungle Gym (instrumental) (Roy Buchanan) - 3:05 rating: *** stars
A rare Buchanan original, the instrumental 'Jungle Gym' was surprisingly commercial, though I seem to detect just a touch of the 'Batman Theme' in the melody.
4.) Drowning On Dry Land (Mickey Gregory - Alan Jones) - 6:18 rating: **** stars
I grew up with the Albert King and O.V. Wright versions of this blues classic, but I have to tell you Buchanan's version was every it as good and infinitely sadder since within two years the man would take his own life after being arrest and jailed for public intoxication. So sad ...
5.) Petal To the Metal (instrumental) (Roy Buchanan) - 2:26 rating: *** stars
Another Buchanan original, I'm not a guitar player, but the man could get such amazing tone out of his telecaster.
(side 2)
1.) You Can't Judge a Book By It's Cover (Willie Dixon) - 3:20 rating: **** stars
With McClinton on vocals, this was easily the funkiest version of the Willie Dixon classic I've ever heard.
2.) Cream of the Crop (instrumental) (Roy Buchanan) - 2:35 rating: *** stars
Another Buchanan original, the instrumental 'Cream of the Crop' almost had a garage rock edge. Nice.
3.) Beer Drinking Woman (Chatman) - 4:45 rating: *** stars
Buchanan actually had a nice voice, but seemed reluctant to apply it. The album's lone blues number, his cover of 'Beer Drinking Woman' was a perfect example with Buchanan kind of talk-singing his way through the tune. His stunning solo kind of made up for the vocals.
4.) Whiplash (instrumental) (Roy Buchanan) - 2:26 rating: *** stars
The album's most pop-oriented instrumental.
5.) Baby, Baby, Baby (Aretha Franklin - Carolyn Franklin) - 4:23 rating: **** stars
It won't make you forget Aretha's version, but it came close and her version didn't have Buchanan's shimmering solo on it. McClinton really does have a special voice.
6.) Matthew (instrumental) (Roy Buchanan) - 2:02 rating: **** stars
'Matthew' closed the album with a gorgeous instrumental that would not have sounded out of place on a Mark Knopfler soundtrack album - think along the lines of "Local Hero".
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Just great album from this "pioneer or telecaster". I truly agree he was one of those pioneers. Man starts with "Peter gunn" theme and how amazing it is! Continues with stylish "The chokin kind" and so on. On "Drowning on dry land" there is so much bending that I've never heard before on single track. I say it almost goes over. It's sad he was so suicidal and killed himself on year 1988. Don't know what we miss
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Catalog
2 Feb 2024
-
A1
Peter Gunn
-
A2
The Chokin Kind
-
A3
Jungle Gym
-
A4
Drowning on Dry Land
-
A5
Petal to the Metal
-
B1
You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover
-
B2
Cream of the Crop
-
B3
Beer Drinking Woman
-
B4
Whiplash
-
B5
Baby Baby Baby
-
B6
Matthew
22 Nov 2023
20 Oct 2023
16 Aug 2023
19 Jul 2023
6 Mar 2023
22 Nov 2022
4 Oct 2022
12 May 2022
10 May 2022
5 Apr 2022
30 Dec 2021
20 Dec 2021
10 Sep 2021
-
A1
Peter Gunn
-
A2
The Chokin Kind
-
A3
Jungle Gym
-
A4
Drowning on Dry Land
-
A5
Petal to the Metal
-
B1
You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover
-
B2
Cream of the Crop
-
B3
Beer Drinking Woman
-
B4
Whiplash
-
B5
Baby Baby Baby
-
B6
Matthew
26 Jul 2021
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