Search - Steve Cropper, Pop Staples, Albert King :: Jammed Together

Snap, Crackle & "Pop"!

Chuck Potocki | Highland, Indiana | 10/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One thing is certain...when these guys said "Jammed Together", they MEANT it; what an awesome album this is! Here we have two of the blues' elder statesmen (Pop Staples & Albert King), and the young "whippersnapper" (Steve Cropper) all assembled in one place, and the results are fantastic; there's no doubt that the three of them had a great time making this album!



"Jammed Together" isn't an album of self-indulgent guitar solos and noodling to satisfy egos; the title tells you all you need to know: this is all meat, no filler, folks. Because each of the three guitarists have very distinctive playing styles and tones, you can literally pick them out as you listen to it.



A great example of this can be heard on the rocking instrumental "Big Bird", where Cropper, King and Staples each occupy the left, middle and right stereo channels respectively, but the stereo separation didn't really need to be done so you'll know who is who; as I said, you'll literally be able to identify them with each solo turn.



In addition to the fabulous guitar playing, all three take turns on vocals as well; King leads off with the Ray Charles classic "What I'd Say", Cropper turns in a rare vocal on "Don't Turn Your Heater Down", and Staples on the positively spine-tingling "Tupelo", where his soulful vocals and trademark tremelo-effected guitar give the track a swampy, ominous feel and mood. It's very obvious that this song influenced John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, as evidenced by the CCR tracks "The Midnight Special" & "Born On The Bayou" alone.



Released on the Stax label in early 1969, "Jammed Together" is a genuine blues/soul classic; get it now!"

Masterpiece Ruined! by Remastering the Legendary Recording

Ted Bond | Boston, MA USA | 01/13/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This remaster sacrifices the essence of the music and intention of the album: three guitar legends jamming together. By boosting the bass and drums they have successfully drowned the guitars in a misguided attempt to sonically improve the rhythm. The rhythm was produced musically to support the featured guitarists, not smother their symbiotic relationship, the very relationship which is the genius of the record. The magically improvised conversation of the guitarists has been destroyed. Please do not buy the remastered CD. Steve Cropper, Pop Staples, and Albert King deserve better, purchase the original recording."

Not for the pretentious or those looking to unleash the coll

Brad | New Hampshire | 08/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow! I have just recently started getting into R&B and soul music and I think I have now been spoiled. This album has serious rhythm, which is incredible seeing as how there are three mofos tooling on their guitars at all time. In my opinion you can't find many more guitarists that are better rhythm players than steve cropper and even though the liner notes don't name names, it sounds like Duck Dunn (or an admirable clone of Duck Dunn) is the bassist. If those two don't ooze rhythm, I don't know what does. Then again, most of what I have listened to is metal and prog rock, which are more lead oriented.

This album is a miracle. Fantastic songs. That's all I can really say. The first song, a "cover" of Ray Charles' "what'd I say" will wake you up faster than any cup of coffee ever could. I didn't think the solos would ever end, and I didn't want them to. At times, all three of them solo simultaneously but never get in each others way...they seem to be helping each other out. Big Bird is another tune that perfectly blends rhythm and blues together for a unique experience. All these dudes are jamming on the same page AT ALL TIMES! The way Ned Flanders prepares for The Rapture, I prepare for a new Steve Cropper/Duck Dunn album. I feel I have missed the bus though."