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The band released its first album for Island, Whisper Tames The Lion, produced by Anton Fier, in early 1988.
The album peaked at No. 130 on the Billboard 200.
College radio success (and some commercial) accumulated with airplay of the songs "Can't Promise You The World" (for which the band filmed its first video) and "Powerhouse."
More polished, in terms of production, than their debut Scarred But Smarter or the great album that followed this one, Mystery Road, Whisper Tames the Lion may have benefitted from having rawer production more akin to the styles found on those other two stronger albums.
Instead, Whisper Tames The Lion feels more akin to their later shot at mainstream success, Fly Me Courageous, which is not a terrible thing, just not as great as the raw vitality found on those other offerings.
Nevertheless, Whisper Tames the Lion features some great songs: the hard rocking title track leads off, demonstrating a departure from the punkier material of the debut, in impressive fashion; "The Friend Song" is a fun, sentimental, aptly-titled song; and "Check Your Tears at the Door" is a gorgeous song about the afterlife (which even appeals to folks who don't believe in it!).
Nevertheless, Whisper Tames the Lion features some great songs: the hard rocking title track leads off, demonstrating a departure from the punkier material of the debut, in impressive fashion; "The Friend Song" is a fun, sentimental, aptly-titled song; and "Check Your Tears at the Door" is a gorgeous song about the afterlife (which even appeals to folks who don't believe in it!).
Although I would not recommend the purchase of this one as a first or second Drivin' 'n' Cryin' album, if you really love Scarred But Smarter, Mystery Road, and/or Fly Me Courageous, then you won't regreat obtaining this one.
Track listing
1. The Whisper Tames The Lion - 3:50
2. Catch The Wind - 4:02
3. Powerhouse - 3:33
4. The Friend Song - 4:11
5. On A Clear Daze - 2:30
6. Ridin' On The Soul Road - 4:50
7. Can't Promise You The World - 2:56
8. Livin' By The Book - 2:33
9. Good Day Every Day - 2:39
10. Legal Gun - 3:44
11. Check Your Tears At The Door - 5:08
12. Blue Ridge Way - 3:44
Companies, etc.
- Accordion, Pedal Steel Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Fats Kaplin
- Acoustic Guitar – Larry Saltzman
- Bass, Mandolin, Backing Vocals – Tim Nielsen
- Design – Ruth Kaplan
- Drums – Anton Fier, Jeff Sullivan
- Engineer [Assistant] – Jeff Smith
- Guitar, Vocals – Kevn Kinney
- Management – Randy Blazak
- Mastered By – Greg Calbi
- Organ [Hammond], Piano – Bernie Worrell
- Painting – Bernice Massey
- Photography By – Jack Stoddart
- Piano – Irwin Fisch
- Producer – Anton Fier
- Recorded By, Mixed By – "Iron" Mike Krowiak
- Written-By – Drivin' N' Cryin'
Notes
Released: 1987
Recording Location: RPM Studios, New York, NY
Genre: Rock
Length: 44:15
Label - Island Records
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