Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics

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Blues Brothers

  • Briefcase Full of Blues [Atlantic, 1978] C+

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Briefcase Full of Blues [Atlantic, 1978]
The studio-superstar backup band isn't exactly long on personality, but it rocks, and almost every song ranks as an underrecorded classic. John Belushi goes out of his way--earnestly, even awkwardly--to identify the original artists, which cancels out the Rasta jokes on "Groove Me." However. If Belushi told those jokes to supply his fans with their ration of dope humor, then shame on him. But if he was just nervous about treading in the voiceprints of Junior Wells and King Floyd, he had reason--he's not as convincing as most white blues singers, much less Junior Wells or King Floyd. Is this a top-ten album because people actually want to listen to it? Inspirational Patter: "I'd suggest you buy as many blues albums as you can." C+