Lucky Sevens Music

way back in the era of "love" came along someone who really preached what it was all about:as in when you had the open happy fields of the south with Sweet Blindness (as in the happiness one feels with a swift drink which you will not tell anyone what you've been a drinkin' (Jack Daniels, come to think of it)-lots of love, possible; the tracks and cracks and open wounds of possibly crack cocaine in Poverty Train and the thought of a starving feeling (before the time of March of Dimes or was it always there?);or as in lonely women who strive for tomorrow without a hint of love in Lonely Women, perhaps a paen to the abortion process; the driven bravado of the lover who leaves all behind him in Eli's Coming (am I right or wrong); the great happy time of Stoned Soul Picnic, if ever a self-titled tune (come back Jack Daniels and surry on south or whereever:; an illegitimate child perhaps in the Jesus song of December's Boudoir; and the most truly scintillating woman to woman love song of tenderness and more from early youth to life ending belief of a love so true in Emmie, possibly the best love song of all time with it's lows and crescendos and highs and deeply felt poetic luxury. A sure five star winner and an all time great. A great chaser with Jack Daniels. Laurence.

This compilation does not contain titles of real hit movies. It contains mostly sentimental or comic songs from old movies and even from the ones I managed to recognise only a handful were original. It struck me hard to find "Enae Volare" from "Les Visiteurs", the only title I ordered this compilation for, terribly altered but that might concern me alone. Finding "What a Feeling" from "Flashdance" similarly altered made me wonder... later, on the back of the box, I found a small note saying, as I could decrypt from French, that the songs in the album were not necessary original. I should've been warned about this in advance!

A very cool, Limited Edition CD from Seven Mary Three entitled "B-Sides & Rarities" (Atlantic/Mammoth CD 8339-2). Includes all of the band's rare b-sides and live tracks released to date (1998) on one CD. None of these tracks are on any Seven Mary Three album (some come from compilation CDs or rare promo CDs and some are new and unavailable anywhere else). This CD was originally given away free to consumers in the US who purchased the band's second album RockCrown, and hasn't been seen since. Also includes two hidden tracks - rare mixes of Cumbersome ("acoustic" and "acoustic w/ drums") that were previously only available on a rare radio station 3 track promo CD. Tracks include...

1. "Shelf Life" (Outtake from American Standard Sessions)
2. "Blackwing" (Outtake from American Standard Sessions)
3. "Lame (acoustic/electric)" (REMIXED VERSION - from "Water's Edge" European Maxi CD Single)
4. "My My" (LIVE IN TORONTO, March 2nd 1996 - Unreleased)
5. "Home Stretch (acoustic/live)" (Modern Rock Live, June 1st 1997 - DIFFERENT ARRANGEMENT - Unreleased)
6. "Water's Edge (alternate/live)" (May 6, 1997 Live Cybercast - DIFFERENT ARRANGEMENT - Unreleased)
7. "Lucky (live)" (May 6, 1997 Live Cybercast) - Unreleased

HIDDEN TRACKS...
8. "Cumbersome (acoustic)" (REMIXED VERSION) - Promo Only
9. "Cumbersome (acoustic with drums)" (REMIXED VERSION) - Promo Only

...all I'm gonna say is this is simply one of the best blues/rock albums ever. Period. More people need to know who Jim Suhler and Monkey Beat are. Buy this then find them live...you won't be disappointed.

What a pleasure when you don't know what to expect and it exceeds all your expectations. Thanks to all the reviewers who convinced me to buy this CD. Blues doesn't get much better than this. Think GEORGE THOROGOOD with a turbo charger. This is like a CD of the best THOROGOOD material, except it is written and played by a far supirior guitarist/songwriter. The guitar playing is original and great. Always tasteful and full of surprises. Jim's voice is excellent and the songs are infectious. Where THOROGOOD has a handful of classics and a lot of mediocre fillers, this is consistenly first class and has no obvious fillers. If this doesn't make you dance, check your pulse as you may be dead. ( the most likely reason )
I will now have to buy the rest of his releases, boy this website can cost you some serious money, but what value if you consider pleasure for money and the thrill of discovery.

...that's what I thought when I witnessed Jim Suhler playing with Monkey Beat in a bar a week after getting a fake ID in fall of '92. I'm pushing 30 now, but still a fan of the smokin' slide guitar genius of Mr. Suhler. This is a great cd that captures most of the excitement of the live performance. (You can't actually SEE him run around the bar while still playing the most amazing slide guitar you ever heard while listening to the cd, but that's not his fault)
The production of this album is transparent in that it doesn't pretty up the raw sound that is one of the best blues bands in the bidness, while also maintaining the clarity of being able to hear every instrument. The songs are mostly straight ahead rockers and none rely on goofy blues cliches for subject matter. This is a great cd for driving cross country, but be warned, you will want to drive fast when "Bad Stretch of Road" cues up.
I've seen the band play live several times since that first night, and the guy just keeps getting better. Like most amateur guitar players, my first impulse to seeing Jim play live is to go home and practice practice practice, or just sell my Strat and learn to play the kazoo. I can't play "Restless Soul" yet, but I haven't embarked on my career as a kazoo player, either.
Check out Jim Suhler and his amazing band Monkey Beat and partake of some rockin' blues with a dark edge that dares to sidestep the shadow of SRV and forge ahead with an original vision.

A super effort by Mr. Suhler and Monkey Beat. An eclectic cd to be sure...a little cajun style..some sit down blues but best of all...Restless Soul and Scattergun....if you could wear out a cd by playing it over and over I'd be on my 100th copy. You could do a lot worse but if you like hard drivin rock/blues you can't do much better.

I've always had a thing for gritty blues/rock, and Jim Suhler captures the essence like a couple of favorites of mine - Stevie Ray Vaughan and George Thorogood. I was instantly reminded of Thorogood, and just as quickly found it impossible to sit still. This is dancing/drinking/shooting pool music at its finest! Jim is not only exceptional as a guitarist, but as a songwriter. This Dallas native was not only "discovered" by George Thorogood, but together with his group Monkey Beat has toured extensively with the Delaware Madman! It seems like a real shame that his voice isn't more known in the world -- Jim definitely has a talent that puts him on a strong par with the other greats, and deserves just as much recognition.

Deja Blue - is the opening track, and it sizzles, well, actually slides! The lyrics are strong and honest, and fit well with the melody. There's nothing quite so horrid as a broken heart, unless perhaps it is the other half acting the martyr needlessly. Sadly, it will take a few times of listening to it before you even really notice the lyrics! The beat is contagious, and this is a prime party track!

Restless Soul - is dedicated to Rory Gallagher (the pioneer of Irish Rock, who died following complications from a liver transplant in 1995). This is a track which shows off some stylin' guitar work with a distinct edge to it. Jim knows his instrument inside and out, as only a master can, and he can make it talk really tough. I haven't heard music this good in a very long time, there are some riffs in here for even the most skeptical and disillusioned blues fan.

The final track - I.O.U. - is a dynamite acoustic piece. This is back to basics blues at its finest. Each note reaches deep inside and pulls forth a corresponding chord from the heart, as Jim teases and finesses the strings to provide the perfect sound. The lyrics are simplistic, which can be a great thing, leaving the focus to land on the music. This disc has been spinning almost non-stop in my player since it arrived, and I've nothing bad to say. There are no weak areas, there are no sour chords, no bad notes, this is simply an incredible disc. If you like the blues and you don't have this one yet, what are you doing sitting there?! This is a MUST HAVE item for any blues collection. Honest.

Review Originally Posted at LinearReflections.com