Search - Park Central Squares :: Park Central Squares

Party music that grows on you

Dale Wetzel | Bismarck, ND United States | 08/03/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"D. Clinton (Donnie) Thompson and Lou Whitney have been part of a lot of great music over the years, whether they're playing it themselves or backing up/producing others, such as Dave Alvin. They've recorded as the Morells and the Skeletons as well as this lineup, the Park Central Squares -- a derivation of Park Central Square, which is the decrepit downtown area in Springfield, Mo. This album and the Morells' first record, "Shake and Push," rank as my favorites. "Be A Man," "I Ain't No Miracle Worker," and "Hip To You" are outstanding songs. Thompson is the best guitarist you have never heard of. I've listened to this record just to listen to his playing. He is amazingly versatile.If you have a chance to see the Park Central Squares/Morells/Skeletons live, I suggest you seize the moment. I've seen the Morells half a dozen times, including one show where they got the crowd (in Lawrence, Kan.), so worked up that Jonathan Richman, for whom the Morells were opening, was booed. Thompson and Whitney are excellent musicians, and Whitney's stage talk is often hilarious. Support some great, unpretentious musicians and buy this record."