Roadhouses & Dance Halls is an album by the American musician Lonnie Mack, released in 1988.[1][2] He supported the album with a North American tour.[3] The first single was "Too Rock for Country, Too Country for Rock and Roll".[4] Roadhouses & Dance Halls was a commercial failure, and Mack was subsequently dropped by Epic Records.[5]

Production

The album was coproduced by Barry Beckett.[6] Mack was backed by some of the Muscle Shoals session musicians.[7] He wanted the album to incorporate more country music influences; he also focused more on a band sound rather than songs that merely showcased his guitar solos.[8][9] Mack played a 1958 Gibson Flying V.[10] "50's/60's Man" acknowledges that Mack's musical style was formed in the late 1950s and early 1960s.[11] "Hard Life", on which David Lindley played slide guitar, is about an older musician navigating the touring lifestyle and music industry.[12] "Cocaine Blues" is a cover of the murder ballad; Mack was unsure of the songwriter of the version on which he based his take.[11] "High Blood Pressure" was originally performed by Huey Smith.[13] "Sexy Ways" and "Annie Had a Baby" are covers of the Hank Ballard songs.[14]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[15]
The Cincinnati Post[10]
The Philadelphia Inquirer[12]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[16]
The Virgin Encyclopedia of the Blues[17]

The Toronto Star stated that "Mack still delivers with an up-the-gut intensity that gives this straight-driving set an almost-live feel."[18] The Chicago Tribune said that the "unrepentant rock romantic and guitar hero [cranks] out more no-frills boogie, blues and country funk on his first major label release in some time."[19] The Cincinnati Post praised Mack's "whiskey-soaked vocals".[10] The Arizona Daily Star noted that "Mack's honky-tonk spirit and greasy, unrefined style remain intact."[20] The Boston Globe labeled Mack "one of a kind in an industry full of imitators".[21] The Buffalo News opined, "For all his road wisdom, Mack is as fresh as a man just starting out."[22]

In 2001, The Philadelphia Inquirer called the album "a splendid showcase for his tough but soulful roadhouse style."[12]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Too Rock for Country, Too Country for Rock and Roll" 
2."50's/60's Man" 
3."Lucille" 
4."Medley: Sexy Ways/Annie Had a Baby" 
5."Plain Jane (In a Mustang)" 
6."Honky Tonk Man" 
7."Riding the Blinds" 
8."High Blood Pressure" 
9."Cocaine Blues" 
10."Hard Life" 

References

  1. ^ Prown, Pete; Newquist, Harvey P. (1997). Legends of Rock Guitar: The Essential Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists. Hal Leonard. p. 25.
  2. ^ Hoekstra, Dave (July 1, 1988). "Dave's Dawn Patrol". Weekend Plus. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 7.
  3. ^ "Lonnie Mack at Alibi". Extra. The Roanoke Times. September 10, 1988. p. 8.
  4. ^ Racine, Marty (December 8, 1988). "Lonnie Mack won't be pigeonholed". Houston. Houston Chronicle. p. 3.
  5. ^ Christensen, Thor (March 29, 1990). "Mack stands alone in finesse for the blues". News. Milwaukee Journal. p. 4.
  6. ^ Wynn, Ron (June 9, 1988). "Mack unaffected by his latest comeback". The Commercial Appeal. p. C8.
  7. ^ Duffy, Thom (September 4, 1988). "Music". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 6.
  8. ^ Warren, Reid (June 16, 1988). "Performer Lonnie Mack is still going strong". The Lincoln Star. p. 11.
  9. ^ Sanders, Doug (September 30, 1988). "For the record". The Journal. Flint. p. C19.
  10. ^ a b c Nager, Larry (August 13, 1988). "Blues sounds fine on '80s LPs". The Cincinnati Post. p. 6B.
  11. ^ a b Mackie, John (November 22, 1988). "Mack rocks back to nightclub roots". The Vancouver Sun. p. D8.
  12. ^ a b c Cristiano, Nick (August 5, 2001). "The Music Report". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. H12.
  13. ^ Hogan, Dick (August 26, 1988). "Lonnie Mack on right track". The Cedar Rapids Gazette. p. 5C.
  14. ^ Allen, Greg (August 26, 1988). "The Vinyl Word". The Press of Atlantic City. p. D8.
  15. ^ "Roadhouses & Dance Halls Review by Bill Dahl". AllMusic. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  16. ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 441.
  17. ^ Larkin, Colin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of the Blues. Virgin Books.
  18. ^ MacInnis, Craig (October 14, 1988). "Roadhouses & Dance Halls". Toronto Star. p. E20.
  19. ^ Heim, Chris (November 4, 1988). "New Albums". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 79.
  20. ^ Armstrong, Gene (August 25, 1988). "Blues cruise". Arizona Daily Star. p. C5.
  21. ^ Wykoff, David (September 1, 1988). "Records". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 6.
  22. ^ Anderson, Dale (September 9, 1988). "Records: Rock". Gusto. The Buffalo News. p. 37.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadhouses_%26_Dance_Halls
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