Blues Traveler - Four (1994)

"Run-Around" won a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance. Already established as a reputable act due to years of drop-dead touring, “Four” is the album that has broken Blues Traveler through to widespread popularity, becoming their first best-seller. Singer John Popper's frenetic harp coupled with guitarist Chan Kinchla's chicken-scratch rhythm playing make for a potent one-two punch that goes far in distinguishing Blues Traveler from the hordes of similar "Grateful Dead Baby Bands" that have cropped up in recent years. And while the band still retains that musical formula, “Four” explores other levels of their organic boogie. Scaling back the over-extended jams of their previous records, Blues Traveler has returned as a much leaner unit.
Opening with the airy "Run-Around," “Four” dabbles with pretty ballads ("Look Around") as well as more upbeat and sunny fare ("Hook"). Guest Warren Haynes' guitar playing gives "The Mountain Wins Again" a heavy Allman Brothers flavor, and Paul Shaffer's funky organ fills on "Stand" tango with Popper's scat-like vocal delivery.
The road is still Blues Traveler's true calling--it is, after all, where they became the dynamic musical force they are today. But for a studio album made by an acknowledged live band, “Four” makes for one helluva rest stop. This fourth album from the New York's Blues Traveler finally brought their harmonica-based blues riffs into the public eye. Indeed, "Run-Around" spent nearly a year on the Billboard singles chart. Harpman/vocalist John Popper moves easily between uptempo, rock-based tracks like "Stand" and "Crash Burn." The hidden gem here, however, is the love-struck ballad "Just Wait." Often categorized with post-Dead jam acts such as Phish, BT isn't immune from performance excesses. But when it comes to recording, they keep it (mostly) concise and always interesting.
Lacking the rootsier edge of Save His Soul, Four finds Blues Traveler retreating to their standard blues-boogie formula, with mixed results.
Too often the band sounds like it's coasting. “Four” is a solid record, but it shows signs that the band's formula may be wearing thin.

Track listing

01. "Run-Around"  (Popper)  - 4:40
02. "Stand"  (Popper)  - 5:19
03. "Look Around"  (Popper)  - 5:42
04. "Fallible"  (Kinchla/Popper)  - 4:47
05. "The Mountains Win Again"  (Sheehan)  - 5:06
06. "Freedom"  (Popper)  - 4:01
07. "Crash Burn"  (Kinchla/Popper)  - 2:59
08. "Price to Pay"  (Kinchla/Popper)  - 5:17
09. "Hook"  (Popper)  - 4:49
10. "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"  (Blues Traveler/Kinchla)  - 1:55
11. "Just Wait"  (Popper)  - 5:34
12. "Brother John"  (Kinchla/Popper/Sheehan)  - 6:38

Blues Traveler
Brendan Hill – percussion, drums
Chan Kinchla – electric and acoustic guitar, mandolin, backing vocals on "Brother John"
John Popper – vocals, harmonica, 12-string guitar on "Look Around"
Bobby Sheehan – bass guitar, backing vocals on "Brother John"

Additional musicians
Adam Brody – backing vocalist
Warren Haynes – guitar on "The Mountains Win Again"
Bashiri Johnson – percussion
Chuck Leavell – piano, keyboards
Jono Manson – vocals on "Brother John"
Paul Shaffer – keyboards on "Stand"
Peter Kovachevich – Sitar and Tambura

Technical personnel
Greg Arnold – assistant engineering
Michael Barbiero – engineering
Producer - Michael Barbiero, Steve Thompson

Notes
Recorded at Bearsville Sound Studios, New York, NY; Electric Lady, New York, NY
Genre:  Rock
Length:  56:47
Label:  A&M Records

© 1994