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Living in the Danger Zone

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Calgary HeraldB+[2]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[3]
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings[4]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[5]

Living in the Danger Zone is a studio album by the blues musician Son Seals, released via Alligator Records in 1991.[6][7]

Production

The album was produced by Seals and Bruce Iglauer.[8] It was made using Seals regulars and studio musicians, and marked a reconciliation between Seals and Iglauer.[9]

Critical reception

The Chicago Tribune wrote that the album "emphasizes uptempo funky blues, with the occasional classic Chicago shuffle and mid-tempo, minor-key tune for variety."[9] The Washington Post called the album "impressive," writing that Seals "powerfully recites a litany of sorrows against a backdrop of jackhammer drums, organ and occasional horns, playing blistering guitar lines to express what the lyrics can't."[10] The New York Times wrote that "Seals tears into ... the losing-streak lament 'I Can't Lose the Blues' and 'Tell It to Another Fool', a bitter declaration of independence from heartache, with convincing autobiographical zeal, singing with gruff exuberance and unleashing steely outbursts of impassioned, stabbing guitar."[11]

AllMusic wrote that "the self-pitying ballad closer 'My Life' is the worst thing Seals has ever put on tape for Alligator."[1]

Track listing

  1. "Frigidaire Woman" – 5:07
  2. "I Can't Lose The Blues" – 4:28
  3. "Woman In Black" – 3:10
  4. "Tell It To Another Fool" – 4:17
  5. "Ain't That Some Shame" – 3:38
  6. "Arkansas Woman" – 4:29
  7. "The Danger Zone" – 5:04
  8. "Last Four Nickels" – 4:17
  9. "My Time Now" – 6:05
  10. "Bad Axe" – 3:12
  11. "My Life" – 8:07

References

  1. ^ a b "Living in the Danger Zone - Son Seals | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  2. ^ Wagamese, Richard (30 June 1991). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. C15.
  3. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 7. MUZE. p. 323.
  4. ^ Russell, Tony; Smith, Chris (2006). The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin. p. 569. ISBN 978-0-140-51384-4.
  5. ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 623.
  6. ^ "Son Seals | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  7. ^ "Son Seals". The Independent. September 21, 2013.
  8. ^ "Album Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 28. Jul 13, 1991. p. 76.
  9. ^ a b Kening, Dan (10 June 1991). "Rising Son Bluesman Seals has a new album but says the road is getting old". Chicago Tribune. Tempo. p. 3.
  10. ^ Joyce, Mike (31 July 1992). "Summertime Blues From Guitarist Seals". The Washington Post. p. N15.
  11. ^ Fricke, David (4 August 1991). "RECORDINGS VIEW: Two Bluesmen Who Defy A Generation Gap". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 June 2021.