CD Review

Reviewer: Matt Rogers
"Fountain of Blues" by Tom Lambert

Tom Lambert plays a mean slide guitar. If that were all he did on his album, Fountain of Blues, greatness would be heard. Unfortunately, he also sings, plays bass and drum machine, just not nearly as well as he does that blues guitar. As a result, his album suffers on the whole, obfuscating the few tracks that really shine. One of these is the title track, a four minute instrumental that blazes the ears with it's grungy sound and heavy reverb. One moment you find yourself drifting, only to be jerked back into the present with a wild riff. It's the type of sound that recalls the best of the Fat Possum stable and older "ZZ Top records. Other keepers are the foot-stomping "That Don't Sound Like You" and the melodious and creative "Gentlemen Of The Jury." It's difficult to really get into a blues album in which the drum machine (a Dr. Rhythm we are told), with it's unoriginal programming, is so dominant. That may have been fine for early '80s rap records, but here it sounds tinny and out of place. I'd venture to say though, that I'm sure Mr. Lambert is a fine catch live, and probably an even better sideman. Here's hoping that he soon comes to a bar near you.

- Matt Rogers writes for The Village Voice, New York Amsterdam News, Grand Slam, WaxPoetics, and Popmatters.