This band totally took me from left from left field some 15 years ago when I first heard them. Sass O'Frass Tunic is a gospel centered southern delta blues band that transcends the label of Christian or religious based music. For anyone who has spent any time listening to gospel music knows that the "par for the course" is pallid and uncreative at best. The same cannot be said for this band.
Fronted by Fred T. Friend and consisiting of a group of outstanding musicians, the album starts off with "Which One Are You?", which is reminiscent of Bob Dylan's "You Gotta Serve Somebody" lyrically. But the comparison ends there. An accapella track, it sets into your psyche just as the track "Mr Tumbleweed" begins with a chugging blues progression that most assuredly have your toe tapping if not get you dancing (yes, gospel music can make you boogie).
While I do not generally review religious based music as a rule, this disc is an anomaly simply for the integrity of the music and should by the very definition of what this site was created for be shared equally. I spent quite a time debating about this because of the subject but in the end the music won out over all else.
"Stopwhatyadoin' ", a self introspective track is so taut with personal reflection that I found myself lost within it. What else can you say about music that can do that to you other than to recommend others to hear it. Other Standouts include Big Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog", a forlorn rendition of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" and the best track IMHO on the disc "My World is Falling Down", another introspective track that I have actually covered over the years at parties and the such on an old beat up acoustic guitar.
I would highly recommend this album to anyone who is a fan of the blues for sure, especially fans of Sam Cooke, Robert Johnson, BB King and their contemporaries. Be prepared to hear about the bands beliefs, but also be open to the great music that it is presented with. Much again like the albums in which Bob Dylan spoke of his religious beliefs, this album is equally musically outstanding as well as it is a soul searching touch of genius. I honestly believe this is one of the albums that literally affected my life in a profound way and I hope that it at least entertains you.
Sass O"Frass Tunic - As Blue As The State Allows
Artist: Sass O'Frass Tunic
Album: As Blue As The State Allows
Genre: Gospel/Blues
By Lord Bez
2 Peaple Showed Us Love:
Hmm.. this is very distinct and very unlike what I was figuring on, I like that, I love when music makes you have to guess what its like, and then when you find out your were wrong about it, it makes you glad. I love it.
Indeed! you know? i agree. I had pretty much the same sensation while playing it. It is a wonderful cd though, I really liked it :)
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