Big Head Todd & The Monsters - Beautiful World (1997)

                                                               Big Head Todd
 Beautiful World was produced by ex–Talking Head Jerry Harrison, who seems to be everywhere these days, and, judging by the suitably rich lustre he dealt this disc, deservedly so. Although the band has only released three major-label albums, it has toured incessantly since ’86, and the instrumental bond between Mohr, bassist Rob Squires, and drummer Brian Nevin is a taut one.

The trio’s radar-like rapport is especially evident on the one track not written by Mohr, John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom”, which sees the 80-year-old blues legend—who happened to be working down the hall at the same recording studio—sharing lead vocals. BHT&TM used to do the song at early blues jams and frat parties, and by playing fast and loose with it the group creates another highlight of Beautiful World, which looks destined to land on this scribbler’s 1997 Top 10 list.


Credits:

Rob Squires - Bass   
Brian Nevin - Drums   
Todd Park Mohr - Guitar, Vocals
Corey Mauser - Organ   
Jerry Harrison - Piano   
Susan Vøelz - Violin   
Bernie Worrell - Organ   
Arlene Newson - Backing Vocals   
Bernie Worrell - Clavinet    
Corey Mauser - Clavinet    
Jerry Harrison - Clavinet  
Hazel Miller - Vocals 
John Lee Hooker - Vocals   

Tracklist:

01. Resignation Superman 04:03 
02. Caroline 05:55 
03. Crazy Mary 04:45 
04. Helpless 04:02 
05. Tower 05:18 
06. Please Don't Tell Her 04:08 
07. Beautiful World 04:24 
08. True Lady 03:16 
09. Heart of Wilderness 03:56 
10. If You Can't Slow Down 04:48 
11. Boom Boom 03:37 
12. These Days Without You 04:05