REVIEW:
By Liam O'Toole
1 August 2012
1 August 2012
An eclectic offering from "3Legs"
Copyright 2012, Blarney Stone
BENNY PLYMPTON
Benny Plympton has always provided a powerful backbone to the Little Blue Men's rhythm section, but his solo work has often lacked the punch of his LBM work. His prior efforts, "Slappin' Skins," "Three Legs to the Wind," and "Benny & the Gits," all suffered from a lack of passion, as well as focus. And having Scott Baio guest vocal on half of "The Life & Times of Benny Plymton" was just plain odd.
None of those problems surface on Plympton's latest, "Sunshine on My Bum." The drumming is tight and forceful. The guest vocalists all carry their weight, and the eclectic mix of singers gives "Bum" a real sense of texture and character.
Fergie shines on the opening track, "Incontinental." Norah Jones is typically sultry as Benny eases back just a little on "Give It to Me Now." There is even a quasi-successful attempt at a rap song with Eminem. It doesn't quite work perfectly, but to hear live drumming on a rap song is a revelation.
The album drags a little in the middle when Stephen Baldwin gives a spoken-word Christian liturgy over nothing more than a few sparse snare hits from Plympton. But things pick up quickly and finish strong thanks to rockers, "Cocksure," and "Beat the Dog," both sung and co-drummed by Plymton's close friend, the semi-retired Phil Collins.
All in all, this is a terrific set from one of rock n' roll's true percussive geniuses. Pick it up today -- you won't be disappointed.
None of those problems surface on Plympton's latest, "Sunshine on My Bum." The drumming is tight and forceful. The guest vocalists all carry their weight, and the eclectic mix of singers gives "Bum" a real sense of texture and character.
Fergie shines on the opening track, "Incontinental." Norah Jones is typically sultry as Benny eases back just a little on "Give It to Me Now." There is even a quasi-successful attempt at a rap song with Eminem. It doesn't quite work perfectly, but to hear live drumming on a rap song is a revelation.
The album drags a little in the middle when Stephen Baldwin gives a spoken-word Christian liturgy over nothing more than a few sparse snare hits from Plympton. But things pick up quickly and finish strong thanks to rockers, "Cocksure," and "Beat the Dog," both sung and co-drummed by Plymton's close friend, the semi-retired Phil Collins.
All in all, this is a terrific set from one of rock n' roll's true percussive geniuses. Pick it up today -- you won't be disappointed.
SUNSHINE ON MY BUM