Blues Rock: Big Head Todd & the Monsters' Crimes of Passion

Mid-90s I was at Northwestern University where the annual Dillo Days are held each May. What is to be a May celebration on the lakefill (the part of campus that used to be lake) had/has a tradition of turning into a time for drug experimentation. That kept this prude away, not even wanting to explore the scene. If I only had overcome this, I would’ve heard Big Head Todd and the Monsters play live one of those springs. I think I would’ve been a fan for the past decade.

As it is, the 2004 album Crimes of Passion is the first one I’ve heard. I’ve also read a few reviews saying that Todd and Company are not saying much new with this release. That said, I want to hear the earlier albums, but Crimes of Passion deserves a listen.

Big Head Todd and the Monsters craft Blues Rock that like other contemporary blues bands explores the edges where the Blues meets other sounds. You’ve got hard-edged rock, Jamaican steel drums, jazzy-rock ballad, and acoustic country blues.

Pay attention, though, and you’ll get an education in the Blues. “Conquistador” is like an Introduction to the Blues course. The youngins are playing in the yard, giving thanks and respect to the elders sitting on the front porch. There’s Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker and Howlin’ Wolf; there’s the Checkboard Lounge. Interestingly, Mohr even connects the blues and Jesus as I’ve explored a few times in this space. Mohr sings, “Jesus gonna help me get there with them blues conquistadors, soul conquistadors.”

Despite giving this shout out to the ancestors, the album lacks some of the spontaneity and soloing you might expect from Blues Rock. I’m guessing this is found much more in the live shows.

But I guess that brings me back to the mid-90’s and missing Todd and the Monsters in concert. I skipped, because the atmosphere was one of heavy drug use. Big Head Todd remains part of the jam band circuit which has a reputation of heavy drug use. When I went to see Keller Williams, a non-smoking venue was a wall-to-wall smokescreen from the cannabis. I left that concert halfway through, sick to my stomach from inhaling so much second-hand smoke, distracted from my main goal of just enjoying the music. I love the riffs, I love the playing with music, I love the endless possibilities that jam bands explore, but in concert, is the crowd always so consumed with toking? If so, I’ll have to enjoy the somewhat fenced-in Big Head Todd and the Monsters on their recorded fare while leaving the live experience for others.

Post your thoughts in the comments section if you can help me understand jam band culture.

Thanks to Big Head Todd & the Monsters and Sanctuary Records for the review copy.