Col.
Bruce Hampton and the Quark Alliance
Give Thanks to Chank
Published
11.28.07
By Scott
Freeman
 |
The
Colonel is back, and as lovably eccentric as ever. Give
Thanks to Chank is Col. Bruce Hampton's first studio album
since he recorded Deluxe Edition with the Codetalkers
in 2004. With Hampton – the dean of Atlanta's rock scene
– a couple of things are given: strong musicianship and
songs that often seem like Flannery O'Connor transported into
a Zappa soundtrack.
The title track kicks off with an edgy, blues-derived riff that
shows off everything that is great about the Quark Alliance
– the rock-solid rhythm section of drummer Mark Letalien
and bassist Kris Dale, along with the concise and sparse guitar
work of Jeff Caldwell. Hampton shares the songwriting spotlight
with Caldwell; his songs are often as quirky as Hampton's, but
more soul-influenced and introspective.
The album isn't heavy on the "jam band" sound that Hampton helped
pioneer, but it does include "Lanerville," a 13-minute live
track that also features organist Ike Stubblefield and guitarist
Grant Greene Jr. 4 stars
Tags: Col.
Bruce Hampton & the Quark Alliance, Give
Thanks To Chank, Deluxe
Edition, Flannery
O'Connor, Mark
Letalien, Kris
Dale, Jeff
Caldwell
COMMENTS
RE: Col.
Bruce Hampton and the Quark Alliance
Posted by SwordCrosser
on 11.20.08 @ 07:48 PM
It ain't 78 rpm but I bet Chank thinks so.
RE: Col.
Bruce Hampton and the Quark Alliance
Posted by Joey
L. on 12.12.07 @ 01:52 PM
picked up my copy of this album while in Florida, and man, I
gotta say I love it. The Colonel I've loved for a long time,
and this band is new to me, but really kicks ass. From the happy-go-lucky
make your head bob bass playing, to the rock solid drumming
to the amazing guitar and voice of Jeff Caldwell, I think this
is his best band since ARU! |
From
the Atlanta Creative Loafing 11/2007