Honkin' on Bobo [ECD] - Aerosmith (CD 2004)

The cover, albeit simple, is very powerful. It's a somewhat phallic Hohner harmonica (a.k.a. "mouth organ") with a woman's red lipstick mark on it. If that doesn't drip with sexual innuendo, you need to get out more. I wonder, is "Bobo" the name of Steven's harmonica or...? Hey, if B.B. King can name his guitar Lucille, Steven can name his harmonica, Bobo. We're guys, we feel the need to name things, like cars, boats, instruments and appendages.

In a brilliant packaging design decision, they've included a tiny key chain version of a Hohner mouth organ with the Aerosmith logo on it. When I attempted to play this tiny harp, all three of my dog's heads tilted to one side. Too funny.

The back cover art is simply the boys on a sidewalk in various colors of hep-cat suits and their instruments. Steven is just reading a newspaper - not even looking at the camera. Inside the cover is a shirtless woman with her pierced navel, cherry red finger nails and her skull & feathers belt buckle. "Bobo" is playfully tucked into her jeans. Yum.

I've loved Aerosmith's sound since the 1970s, but to be honest, I haven't purchased any of Aerosmith's music since the 1980s. In my Epinion, they lost their brass nads n' guts somewhere in that decade. Their 1990s (and later) stuff lacked the raw soul and felt like generic commercial noise. For years, I've heard that they were going to do a blues project. Being a huge fan of the blues, I've been anxiously waiting its release. Steven and the boys were made to belt out the blues. With respect to the Blues, I figured, Steven Tyler could do no wrong. One look at his daughter, Liv Tyler, exemplifies that sentiment.

One thing I have to mention (as if no one knows it already) this is a rare band because they have weathered the test of time. Hell, the same four guys are still together. Steven Tyler sings and plays the harmonica. Joe Perry and Brad Whitford play the guitars, Tom Hamilton slaps that bass and Joey Kramer beats those drums. You guys ROCK!

Before I get into the review of this CD, get the visual of that Nissan truck commercial in your mind. You know, the one where they add an anvil, a sledge hammer and some brass balls into the molten steel? This is the mood that this Aerosmith album brings out. I have no doubt that a few of these songs will start showing up in car commercials on TV.

~ P L A Y L I S T ~

"Road Runner" (3:45) Let's talk roadhouse blues. Let's talk hawgs n' suds! The tune makes me wanna don black leather chaps, biker boots, a doo rag and play some pool in a dive bar. Even the boys in the band sing a doo-wop background chorus. What a cool tune! I love the sign-off...a pulsating guitar whithers into silence. It's almost like it's laughing at us. Tyler laughs a couple of times during the track. It's just a fun time. (5 stars out of 5)

"Shame, Shame, Shame" (2:14) Okay, turn on the honky tonk. "If you want me back, I can tell your plan. Heed my words, down on your knees. Shame, Shame, Shame on you Miss Roxy. Shame on what you've done." (4.5 stars out of 5)

"Eyesight to the Blind" (3:10) Imagine a very leggy woman walking down the street and a man walking behind her...drooling, walking into poles, dreaming, yearning. Well this song is a hip version of that. Paul Santo adds his honky tonk ivory tickling skills. (5 stars out of 5)

"Baby, Please Don't Go" (3:23) A 1960s classic with all of the intensity of Aerosmith's "Train Kept a Rollin" and Tyler's piercing vocal prowess. Warning: Don't drive to this tune. It might be hazardous to your vehicle, your health, the health of others and your insurance premiums. Driving slow is not an option. (5 stars out of 5)

"Never Loved a Girl" (3:12) The last time I heard this soulful tune was in the soundtrack to "The Commitments." This version has a driving force that only the boys from Boston can deliver. (4.5 stars out of 5)

"Back Back Train" (4:23) Here's a sultry blues tune that sounds like a "twangy" opening for a Quintin Tarantino film. Slide guitar, harmonica and the vocal talents of Hurdy Gurdy and Tracy Bonham add a full rich flavor not found in most coffees. (4.5 stars out of 5)

"You Gotta Move" (5:30) Part Elmore James - part John Lee Hooker this tune drives you from the moment it tickles your ears. Immediately, you'll start the toe-tappin and the knee slappin'. Steven and his harmonica lead the charge in this soulful ditty. Gimme some ooooomph! Steven even does a duet with Perry's guitar ala Crossroads. (5 stars of 5)

"The Grind" (3:46) Here's a song that would make most women want to do a seductive strip to. Grind that pole, honey! "Even double-crossin' dogs have their day." Words to live by. I'm missin' you, just like you want me to." I'm sure many dancers will do many lap dances to this tune. ENJOY! (5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm Ready" (4:15) Willie Dixon was ready. John Lee Hooker was ready. Muddy Waters was ready. George Thorogood was ready. Dixon wrote it and so many of the best have covered this song. Aerosmith's version adds some red peppers and a touch of raw energy to the legacy. "I'm drinkin gin like never before. I'm feelin' so good, honey, that's for sure. One more drink, honey, I wish you would. Take a whole lotta lovin' to make me feel good." (5 stars out of 5)

"Temperature" (2:51) Remember Michelle Pfieffer crawling across the top of the piano? That's the image I see when I first heard this tune. Slinky, sultry, sexy, bluesy. Another delicious striptease song. LOVE IT! Steven's voice is bit deeper and raspy here. I'm not usually fond of the harmonica as a forefront instrument, but Tyler's harmonica work on this track is top-notch. (5 stars out of 5)

"Stop Messin' Around" (4:32) "If you don't stop messin' around, you'll be someone else's baby - not mine. You're rockin' the bed, 'til my face turns cherry red. You're rockin' me so hard, baby, I'm fallin' right out of bed." It's a love ballad...LOL A very honky-tonk tune sure to get anyone toe-tappin' in no time. (4.5 stars out of 5)

"Jesus Is On the Main Line" (2:50) Think Gospel in the Bayou with a slide guitar backbone. Preacher Tyler has the congregation on its feet clappin' and singin'. Lawd have mercy! I know that "Spirituals" had a large part in the birth of the Blues, but this song, while an homage to the early days of the blues, is just a bit out of place. I can't see anyone cranking up this tune in their vehicle. I would have LOVED it if they did a rendition of "Amazing Grace" in lieu of this tune. (3.5 stars out of 5)

My take on this CD: I refer to this CD as the Rolling Stones on jet fuel and steroids. It has a bluesy almost honky tonk feel to it - that is just so delicious!!!! It's the PERFECT CD to play pool to.

Thanks fellas!

In addition to the music, there is a menu (for PCs) to enter a the Aerosmith website. I found it funny that in order to enter the site, you have to click and hold onto a zipper and pull it down. LOL

I paid $13.99 for this CD at Costco. I believe other stores offer this CD without the mini harmonica for a bit less. So choose wisely.

Produced in 2004 for Columbia Records catalog # 30C 92079

U P D A T E: If you have XM Radio, here's a treat:
Aerosmith's "Honkin' On Bobo" on Bluesville - XM 74
3PM ET (4/22/04)
Host Redbeard is joined by Aerosmith's Joe Perry and Steven Tyler for an interview and listen to the band's latest disc Honkin' On Bobo. Following the recorded interview a live program with Bill Wax, Redbeard and possibly special guests to talk about the new Areosmith platter.