Roscoe's Gang
1988 studio album by Eric Ambel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Roscoe's Gang is the debut album by the American musician Eric Ambel, released in 1988.[1][2] Its title is a reference to the band Ambel would use for casual New York City bar gigs.[3] He supported the album with a North American tour.[3]
| Roscoe's Gang | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1988 | |||
| Recorded | 1988 | |||
| Studio | Column One, Springfield, Missouri | |||
| Genre | Rock, country rock | |||
| Label | Enigma | |||
| Producer | Lou Whitney, Eric Ambel | |||
| Eric Ambel chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
The album was recorded at Column One in Springfield, Missouri, with members of the Morells, and coproduced by the band's bass player, Lou Whitney.[4][5][6] The cover of Neil Young's "Vampire Blues" was recorded in one take.[7] "Total Destruction to Your Mind" is a cover of the Swamp Dogg song.[8] "If You Gotta Go, Go Now" was written by Bob Dylan.[9] "Loose Talk" is a version of the song made famous by Buck and Bonnie Owens.[10] "Don't Wanna Be Your Friend" and "I Waited for You" were written by Ambel's Del-Lords bandmate Scott Kempner.[7] "Next to the Last Waltz" was cowritten by Peter Holsapple.[11] "Power Lounger Theme" is an instrumental.[10] Syd Straw and Skid Roper contributed to the recording sessions.[12]
Critical reception
Newsday said that Roscoe's Gang is "what a solo album should be: an off-hand, unaffected, underproduced busman's holiday."[7] The Chicago Tribune opined that "Ambel's true talents still seem to lie in rock 'n' roll territory, the best songs here being some strutting, full-power rockers."[14] The New York Times praised the "cheerfully rowdy material".[22] The Calgary Herald labeled the music "raunchy rock and gritty country-rock".[23] The Morning Call concluded that Ambel "does [rock] better than Jason & the Scorchers or the Georgia Satellites".[24]
The Ottawa Citizen noted that unlike Ambel's work with the Del-Lords and the Blackhearts, the music is "less contrived and exudes pure intentions."[19] The Philadelphia Inquirer stated that "this is wonderfully raw, passionate music that never loses its sense of humor."[20] The Boston Globe admired the "inspired primitivism" and "loose and unencumbered" performances.[25] The SouthtownStar likened the music to "the Rolling Stones meet the dB's".[21] Playboy noted that "Ambel's guitar expertise ranges from country to hard rock to pop metal".[26]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "If You Gotta Go, Go Now" | |
| 2. | "Total Destruction to Your Mind" | |
| 3. | "The Girl That I Ain't Got" | |
| 4. | "Forever Came Today" | |
| 5. | "30 Days in the Workhouse" | |
| 6. | "Power Lounger Theme" | |
| 7. | "Don't Wanna Be Your Friend" | |
| 8. | "I Waited for You" | |
| 9. | "Next to the Last Waltz" | |
| 10. | "Loose Talk" | |
| 11. | "You Must Have Me Confused" | |
| 12. | "Vampire Blues" | |
| 13. | "Power Lounger Theme Part 2" (Guitar) |