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This
review appears in the October 2003 issue of the premiere Italian music
magazine, Jam:(translated from the Italian)
Richard Bob Greene
Low? Bottom? Me?
He's a guru of "a cappella" music.
He earned his status more than 20 years ago just answering a free-classified
published by a San Francisco's bay area newspaper: "we look for
a bass vocalist to form an a cappella band".
So, Richard Greene joined Gunnar Madsen and Matthew Stull to become
The Bobs. Few months later, Janie Scott jumped in: all together, the
four of them, established the most creative and off the wall vocal
band in the world.
Since then, The Bobs released several albums, produced many TV and
theater shows, wrote and sang music for movies and commercials. During
the years, a couple of members quit, but the successful "formula"
remained the same. Also because, Richard's musical genius (and his
very looooooow voice …) are the undisputed trademark of this
unusual ensemble.
That's why every true band's fan is today happy to welcome Mr. Bob's
debut album even if there's a slight, formal "betrayal":
this work is not for "vocals only". In fact, the low voice
of "señor" Greene is backed up by an excellent jazz
combo (above all, a beautiful guitar by Steve Erquiaga). But, at the
same time, everybody may find here that fantastic attitude, that funny
irony and unbelieveble variety of any Bobs recordings. These are indeed
unique peculiarities that made this San Francisco band a standard
very much imitated in the US and overseas (even a vocal band from
Genua, Le Voci Atroci, quotes The Bobs as major source of inspiration).
Too Cool To Care is the amazing opening track of the album and sounds
like coming out from Frank Zappa's songbook. In the same, surrealistic
vein, we like a lot Let's Go Wild or The New Low Down. We also find
very funny Tricotism, a tune full of swing, while Greene's musical
taste is shown with a sophisticated arrangement of Jobim classic Waters
Of March.
Finally, all Bobs fan will be glad to listen to a strange remix of
the now legendary "a cappella" cover version of Helter Skelter
(for whom they got a Grammy nomination for best vocal arrangement).
Rate: 7/10
Why: Bobs' founding member and bass voice, released his debut album
where jazz and irony, creativity and musical know-how meld. Eccentric
but highly captivating.
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