Jawbones' previous review just about says it all. I would say the title cut remunds me more of Tom Petty than the Stones. And Prodigal Son sounds like something from Bob Seger. Street Soul Music sounds like the cover we have all heard, but they say it's their's. If I had to pick 3 faves they would be FUNK... LOCO... and AUTOMOBILE.... But that's not fair to the rest of the CD. It's a slam dunk from start to finish and my #1 album of the year. That would be 2007 since I just found out about it in the fall Blues Revue mag. Now if we can just get it on radio. Just buy it and play it loud ! If they canndo it then why not Geils ?
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Great upbeat music that is Funky, Great Rock, and GREAT instrument Sounds, plus voices from their Souls. I bought two Harder Than Before CD's about a year ago from the internet, and  I have enjoyed alone, and with friends, especially driving. This is my 2nd CD  from The Dukes and Drivers as I have 2 copies of Check Your Bucket, and gave several to friends. I hope the group will perform and record for their many national fans, and be radio broadcast on the East and West Coast for all to hear. Pat/San Francisco, Ca. Harder Than Before will become a collector's item.
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Jawbones Review 01/04/06
Well apparently I was very good this year 'cause for Christmas I got me the new Duke &the Drivers CD “Harder Than Before”. Now as a true salivating fan I had waited seemingly forever for its release but had really waited for over 25 years so what's the difference. The wait, people, was well worth it!....The new release is definitive Duke and one can easily hear how hard they worked making it look easy. Where do I start??How 'bout the first track ...Mr. Deluxe continues to outdo himself on good tar and vocals possessing one of the grittiest combinations of both. The badass harp is trademark mudflapps  That's 2 p's for you folks takin' notes.  Solid rhythm. Very Stones-esque if there is such a word, if there ain't, you get my drift--or never will....It's  balls and all on this cut from soulful lead vocals to punctuating  horns. Its placement as the "albums" intro tune snaps your head back like a 1965 Shelby cobra coming out of a tollbooth on the masspike. The 2nd cut, heard live so many times at past shows is aurally accessible for even the most novice Duke fan. It is a major hit and if it ain't... well your ears are painted on. I have been  shower singin' "Just Ain't The Rock" for years prior to its release and once it gets in your head ,you will too. The bass track is deep and reverberating almost distorting and no doubt designed to punch the point across!!.....3rd track, Funk...the fellas’ havin fun insinuatin nasty and givin their celebrity pals a chance to shine. There’s lots of other stuff here too like Mississippi's Loco...Ricky Martin meets Santana. Somehow the listener becomes the viewer and can visualize The Buffalo caught in this scenario with little effort. 60 Minute Man, the only cover, is superb.It shows the band's range and roots and respect. Not to mention Earthquake's strikingly soulful bass vocal capabilities at one point he and the horn sound is eerily similar ...making it difficult for the listener to discern what is a vocal and what is instrument. Brand New Love is a way old song it has to be something you've heard before but can't place where... right? wrong!! But Cadillac Jack takes a sip of sand and gravel and procures an instant new "old" classic...The last cut is the bestest ...when I saw Prodigal son on the cover of the cd I thought wow it's a Stones cover ..no it ain't but it just might be Jo Lily's best effort yet. The lyrics are simple and clean and that's what makes 'em genius, rhyming redundancy to perfection. One can't help but be moved when hearing Sam Deluxe’s personal plea. He’s been there and you know he ain't just singing about it. ..So was it worth the wait..Well It’ll have to tide me over for a while. My Duke collection is not yet complete. I have lived off "Rollin' On" and "Cruisin'" for nearly 30 years. I lent the early reel to real tapes to the radio station I was working at in the 70's and have not heard or received the other alleged releases-- but sure could use 'em so for now ..I guess it'll have to but I'll be patient 'cause it's paid off bettern' I ever thought it would..just need my Duke jones fixed with s'more live shows  ...maybe this time I’ll bring a remote recording truck like the old days!!
All the Best to the Duke and Their Fans--JAWBONES!
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The boys from Boston have done it again. Just a goodtime, tounge and check, funky, soulful and rockin' album that takes you on a wild musical journey and ends up at the intersection of Funky Street and Cypress Avenue. Oh my, what great material by Jo and company--including a smokin' version of "60 Minute Man." Ed Bradley eat your heart out (and rest in peace)!!!! "Harder Than Before" just sounds GOOOOODD!!
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