From the Vault...

11/10/2013
#1385

info
River Rats
"River Rats 2003"


© Rat Trap Records

Rating:

track listing
  • Dimples
  • Worst Headache
  • Doin'Just Fine
  • Heavy Love
  • I Pity The Fool
  • Feel So Bad
  • Think I Love You
    Too Much
  • Trinidad
  • End Of The Line
  • Turn The Time

  • WSVNRadio Archives
    A B C D E F G H I J K L M
    N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

    River Rats related sites:
    River Rats Website

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    River Rats
    "River Rats 2003"



    The River Rats was a local band from Illinois. Timothy C. Lee was the band's drummer. He was a friend of my employer, who passed the word to Tim that I was looking for artists and bands to promote for our Hall of Fame series. Tim was in the River Rats, as well as other projects. River Rats 2003 was sent to us, and from it, Tim suggested the (Tim) Lee / (Mike) Means Project track, "End Of The Line" for the WSVNRadio Hall of Fame, Volume 6 compilation.


    The overall musical style (most specifically for the River Rats), is Blues. Very good Blues, I should say. From your typical sounding Blues of the originals contained here, and there are some tracks written by other well-known artists. The River Rats consisted of Tim Lee (drums, organ) and Mike Means (guitar, vocals). Other musicians were Rusty Hall (piano, organ), Anthony Anzaldua (bass), and Chuck Ely (vocals).


    Powerful Blues material is definitely heard on the first seven tracks, credited by the River Rats. Their cover of John Lee Hooker's "Dimples" kicks it off, being more upbeat than that of the original. Upbeat Blues has "Worst Headache" (as this track did not mention who the songwriter(s) were.) If you like slow blues, W. Trout's "Doin' Just Fine" is a great blues number. J. Tiven/R. Reale wrote the next track, "Heavy Love," as it is a good, driving blues tune. "Kick Ass" Blues defines the song written by D. Malone, "I Pity The Fool." "Feel So Bad" is another good, driving blues tune, as it did not list the songwriters here as well. (My guess is both songs were written or co-written by Tim Lee and/or Mike Means.) Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame wrote the next track, "Think I Love You Too Much," as it just a "cool" blues tune.


    The last three songs were from Tim Lee's other Projects, the Lee/Means Project and the (Rusty) Hall / (Tim) Lee Project. The Lee/Means Project recorded two songs - "Trinidad," a song that sounds like another one, that I just can't put my finger on, maybe "Jealous Guy" by John Lennon? It has more of a Rock style than Blues. "End Of The Line" is a very powerful Rock tune, as it was included on our Volume 6 Hall of Fame. The last track is an instrumental, and different than any song previous - the Hall/Lee Project track, "Turn The Time." It has a great New Age Jazz style.


    Overall, this is a great album from a local Illinois band, showcasing the Blues. Tim's website is TimothyCLee.com. He is currently playing drums for a Prince tribute band.


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    Previous Review: #1384
    Elton John--A Single Man
    Next Review: #1386
    Britney Spears--Circus