Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The Rides: Can't Get Enough

4

The Rides: Can't Get Enough

By

Sign in to view read count
The Rides: Can't Get Enough
Originally the result of a creative spark generated between guitarist/vocalist/composer Stephen Stills and keyboardist/vocalist/composer Barry Goldberg, who already shared some history as collaborators on the famous Super Session album (Columbia, 1968) the dynamic solidified dramatically with the introduction of guitarist/vocalist/composer Kenny Wayne Shepherd into the mix. Yet even with this ostensible surfeit of talent, the triumvirate-like the so-named collaboration of Dr. John, John Hammond Jr. and Michael Bloomfield-ends up undermining their intent by alternately trying too hard or second-guessing themselves.

Like much of the album, faultlessly played and produced, covers of Muddy Waters and Elmore James might better have been strictly relegated to their live shows. But because there's an abandon in "Honey Bee" "Talk to Me Baby," The Rides' own similarly styled original opener, "Roadhouse" almost sounds redundant, Likewise, the title song, basically a twelve-bar tune itself, would suffice in stating just how much of a debt Stills, Goldberg and Shepherd owe to the blues as a foundation of their individual styles; thus, the sum effect of "Can't Get Enough" and "Only Teardrops Fall" approaches overkill because the band sounds so self-conscious.

Even the crack rhythm section of drummer Chris "Whipper" Layton—once of Stevie Ray Vaughan's Double Trouble, and bassist Kevin McCormick can't generate sparks there. Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World," on the other hand, better exhibits The Rides' instrumental versatility and, unlike the non sequitur that is The Stooges' "Search and Destroy"-reportedly the suggestion of co- producer Jerry Harrison (ex-Talking Heads)-Stills' homage to his once and future partner gives a topical flavor to the album extended further by the exhumation of "Word Game" from Stills' second solo album.

In even more marked contrast to its rootsy surroundings, "Don't Want Lies," in its acoustic electric textures and emotionally stark lyrics, is comparable to the author's best contributions to the Buffalo Springfield and the CSNY axis. But rather than impart continuity to this album, this non-blues oriented track only further points up the fact Can't Get Enough is the work of a band whose whole remains decidedly less than the sum of its parts. Perhaps if Stephen Stills assumed a role as more than just titular leader of the group, The Rides would more effectively meet the challenge of forging a collective identity based on his talents as they complement those of Goldberg and Shepherd.

Track Listing

Roadhouse; That’s a Pretty Good Love; Don’t Want Lies; Search and Destroy; Can’t Get Enough; Honey Bee; Rockin’ the Free World; Talk to Me Baby; Only Teardrops Fall; Word Game.

Personnel

Stephen Stills: vocals, guitar; Kenny Wayne Shephaer: vocals; guitar; Barry Goldberg: keyboards; Kevin McCormick: bass; Chris Layton: drums; Luis Conte: percussion; Chavonne Stewart: background vocals; Alethea Mills: background vocals.

Album information

Title: Can't Get Enough | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Concord Music Group

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.