Big Foot Bob & The Toe Tapper's.... That About Covers it

Another album of covers? It's not a travesty of talent or a dearth of
creativity. After all, Lennon did it. So did Van Morrison. Big Foot Bob
is keepin' some fine company. And they have some pretty impressive
credentials to back it up. These have traveled down the highways of the
American Dream for some time and have assumed the status of Lomaxian
miners excavating an almost forgotten musical legacy. Nothing is beyond
the scope of their craft. Their sound is like a wave of warm spring air
after an exceptionally cold winter. Maybe it's the authenticity of the
music. Or it could be their intuitive "knowing" what is musically
compelling. And yet is just might be their love and appreciation for the
pure _expression of what is indelibly human. A fundamental assumption
about musical integrity. And that something important is reaching your
ears. Regardless, these cats have created the most righteous musical
landscape since Sinatra met Dorsey. Believe me, this music ain't
archeology. It's timeless. And it's not the type of art one carries in
a suitcase. No scratchin' discs on a turntable and shouting "YEAH" over
a sampled rhythm track. Real instruments and real music.

Starting with the rockin' B-3 fed cool jazz of "Paul B. Allen", the Toe
Tapper's have fashioned an elegant tapestry of All-American music. The
covers aren't just obscure nuggets or gems of unrecognized genius. Now
they have the audacity to record and transform HITS. Like puttin' the
"Joe Cocker" to their gospel version of Lennon's take on Dylan on "Hide
Your Love Away" . They pay respectful homage to Ray Charles on the blues
masterpiece "Georgia On My Mind" and swing like Taj Mahal on "Ain't
Nobody Gonna Steal My Jelly Roll". And Bob Schultz' emotive vocal on
"Compared To What" rivals Les McCann's version. His barely contained
rage targets political hypocrisy. The sense of betrayal is palpable. And
timely..

The disc closes with a joyful paradox on the Dixieland-inspired workout
of "Cocaine Habit Blues". It is simply sublime.

Bob Schultz is the leader of the band. He is a soulful vocalist with a
great sense of style an nuance. His instrumental prowess on piano and
saxophone is notable. The core of the band includes Danny Hare
(Guitar), Wayne Morton (Bass), Bubba Grundner (drums); uniformly superb
throughout. They are joined by sometime band-mates David Huber
(saxophone) and Doug Decker (piano, organ), and the late/great Jerry
Glassel (guitar).

Big Foot Bob & the Toe Tappers are a "musician's band". You can bet
there'll be several prominent local musicians in the audience
wherever they perform. It's no fluke that musical people love the band.
It's all about payin' dues and performing with exacting craft. And it's no
wonder that several "A" List musicians are guesting on the album including
such icons as Sherm Mitchell (trombone, flute), Dave Machette(harmonica),
Mark Kieme (horns), and Jory Petiprin (guitar).

Big Foot Bob and the Toe Tapper's are a throwback to a long ago time when
music was...well... more musical. A time when hearing a live band was
sheer delight. The energy of the music drove our passions. It was like
taking a kernel of corn at room temperature, adding salt and butter, and
heating it up. Bob Schultz and his assorted minstrels do just that. They
heat up a divine musical stew that incorporates seemingly diverse
influences such as jazz, blues, gospel, and rock. And behold a seamless
musical archetype that puts a smile on your lips and a spring in your
step. It makes you wanna get up and move.


Bo White
April 22, 2004