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The Blues Brothers - Briefcase Full of Blues Audio CD

A fair review of the The Blues Brothers "Briefcase Full of Blues" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all The Blues Brothers reviews here, or go back to the The Blues Brothers tabs.

The Blues Brothers Band: The Blues Brothers
Title: Briefcase Full of Blues
Rating:
Release Date: 2008-08-26
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Opening: I Can't Turn You Loose 2: Hey Bartender 3: Messin' with the Kid 4: (I Got Everything I Need) Almost 5: Rubber Biscuit 6: Shot Gun Blues 7: Groove Me 8: I Don't Know 9: Soul Man 10: "B" Movie Box Car Blues 11: Flip, Flop & Fly 12: Closing: I Can't Turn You Loose

Briefcase Full of The Blues Brothers

But if you have a sense of humor, and know anything about the original Saturday Night Live, this will give you a way out of these crazy times for 40 minutes, or so. If you're real serious about The Blues, this is not for you. Let yourself go and listen to these two crazy guys having fun with an amazing backup band. Briefcase Full of Blues.


Takes me back to my youth
I didn't realize how cool my parents were until much later. I remember this on LP and my parent's used to listen to it. This really took me back.


It may have started out as a joke, but it grew into something really unique and special...
The Blues Brothers ended up spurring this (still) great album, an even better movie (the original one, not the sequel), and a permanent cornerstone in SNL history and pop culture. What started out as a joke on SNL (when it was a damn awesome show) turned into an amazing journey. Listening to this puppy 30 years after it came out, it's still immensely listenable and a pleasure to listen to.

Not only does this album sound fresh today, it's a sincere, heartfelt tribute to music that Belushi and Akyroyd obviously loved. I don't know if something like this could be done today. I feel today the comedians/singers would be smug and detached under the guise of "irony". They would be constantly winking to the audience, reminding them "it's a joke", and it would take away the real feel that Akyroyd and Belushi give the music. Belushi's voice doesn't have a lot of range, but his enthusiasm takes him over and you forget he wasn't a professional singer. Akyroyd's voice is just OK, but he blows a pretty decent harp and Dan's vocals on Rubber Biscuit are hilariously cool. He really sells the puppy. And the band! The band, which included the greatest session musicians ever from Steve "the Colonel" Cropper to Donald "Duck" Dunn to the awesome horn section (all were musicians who played on the classic records that spawned the Blues Brothers tribute), is awesomely tight, never sloppy, and is another pleasure to listen to. Some of the highlights are B Movie Boxcar Blues (which an awesome ending), the great closer Flip, Flop, and Fly (with a wonderful vocal by Belushi), the by now classic Soul Man (still cool), and Messin' with the Kid (which actually has a tricky time signature that the band pulls off without blinking). I like the fact that Dan and John chose songs that were a bit obscure, instead of going for the easy choices. The album was recorded live, and I didn't hear any sweetening. Back in the 1970's, it wasn't as easy to "sweeten" the tape as they can today. Another great thing about this record is the crowd. They are totally into this, screaming, appaulding wildly without a trace of self consciousness. So, it may have started out to be a joke, but The Blues Brothers became much more than that. It's one of the most remarkable chapters in SNL history, and while one can argue the originals are better (they are, and even Belushi and Akyroyd admitted to that), it doesn't take anything away from John, Dan, and the awesome band they assembled. A great album, great movie, and a great concept that went beyond just making a joke. .


Jake and Elwood Reignite Interest in the Blues
So what if John Belushi didn't sing as well as Otis Redding. What recommends this album more than anything else is the history behind it: What started as a skit on NBC's Saturday Night Live quickly snowballed to become a true phenomenon (AMG). With this album, the Blues Brothers sparked interest in blues and R&B among a new generation. Taken as an affectionate, tongue-in-cheek tribute to R&B music, the album has retained its entertainment value. The sincere performances are enhanced by some tasty playing from a top-notch band.


Not worth a penny, even though it cost a little more.
This isn't even worth the cheapo price. 2 songs out of 12 isn't good. I really liked the movie and the soundtrack. The only thing I like about the CD are the songs: Rubber Biscuit, Soul Man, and the photo of Dan Ackroyd. Digitally remastered doesn't matter if the songs aren't any good to start with. This doesn't add anything to the soundtrack, so save your money. .


You can see a complete list of all The Blues Brothers discography, or go back to the The Blues Brothers tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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