Rob riffs on the debut studio album by Ian Moore, “Ian Moore” from December of 1993 (Nothing / Revelation / Harlem / How Does It Feel). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Main Theme from the motion picture “Wayne's World 2” STAFF PICKS: “Good” by Better Than Ezra — Wayne. “She Hates Me” by Puddle of Mudd — Lynch. “Purple Haze” by The Cure — Bruce. “Like the Weather” by 10,000 Maniacs — Rob. NOVELTY TRACK: “(I Know I Got) Skillz” by Shaquille O'Neal featuring Def Jef. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Ian Moore may have been born in Berkeley, California, but the sound from his eponymously named debut studio album reflects Austin, Texas, the place he called home. Moore began playing violin at a young age, but switched to guitar as a teen under the influence of artists like Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Moore's influence runs well beyond the blues genre, however, from Curtis Mayfield to Stevie Wonder, and from Sly & the Family Stone to the Rolling Stones.
Moore's debut album is based in the blues and roots rock. Comparisons to Stevie Ray Vaughan, another Austin guitarist, come naturally with Moore's songwriting lyrics and his obvious guitar skills. The album's success was a testament to Moore's ability to bridge the gap between traditional blues roots and contemporary rock sounds.
While Ian Moore got his start in blues rock, he has been hard to pigeonhole into a single genre. The record company wanted Moore to be a continuation of Stevie Ray Vaughan's legacy, but Moore had other ideas. After his third album submission reflected a more power pop and roots rock sensibility, Capricorn Records dropped him. Moore would continue a career as a touring musician and singer-songwriter, giving up greater fame for greater freedom as an artist to pursue his own path.
Rob brings us this lesser known blues album for this week's podcast
Nothing
The bluesy southern rock opening track to the album is a call back to a far-away love, perhaps reflecting life on the road. “Miles and miles from nowhere but it's always someplace new. My time is spent with strangers but my mind is spent with you.”
Revelation
This funky song reminds us of the Black Crowes. Even the background singers are eerily similar, but beautiful. It chronicles the discovery that the singer's girl is lying to him, and the revelation of her true character. Unlike other lovers, the singer is going to break free of her trap.
Harlem
Inspired by the energy of Harlem, Moore's lyrics explores the ways we are separated from each other by neighborhoods and experiences, even through physical barriers when you're “riding through Harlem in my bulletproof car.”
How Does It Feel
This song tells a story about a girl who continues to break up with a guy only to come back over and over. It was one of the songs that received airplay at the time the album had been released, along with “Nothing.” It starts slowly and builds to the chorus.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Main Theme from the motion picture “Wayne's World 2”
“Party on, Wayne!” “Party on, Garth!” This second outing from Mike Myers and Dana Carvey dropped in December 1993.
STAFF PICKS:
Good by Better Than Ezra Wayne kicks off the staff picks with a hit from the indie band Better Than Ezra. The band came out of Baton Rouge where they attended LSU. The song is about the positive things that come from the end of a relationship. While there is always drama and hurt feelings, there are also good things on which to reflect when the dust settles.
She Hates Me by Puddle of Mudd
Lynch was able to find a clean version of this song for the podcast. Wes Scantlin wrote this song along with Jimmy Allen, the original guitarist. By the time the demo tape was heard and a decision was made to sign the band, the original group had broken up. Scantlin was set up with new bandmates when signed to Flawless Records, and people didn't hate the song or the band.
Purple Haze by The Cure
Bruce brings us a cover of a famous piece by Jimi Hendrix. A tribute album called “Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix” was released in 1993, and The Cure provided this take on Purple Haze. It went to number 2 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
Like the Weather by 10,000 Maniacs
Rob closes out the staff picks with an acoustic rendition of this song recorded for “MTV Unplugged.” The song originally came out in 1987 on their third album. Natalie Merchant would leave the group for a solo career shortly after this live performance.
NOVELTY TRACK:
(I Know I Got) Skillz by Shaquille O'Neal featuring Def Jef
Celebrity rap songs were in vogue at the time, but we think Shaq's skills were better exhibited on the basketball court.