As Blue as the State Allows

Description

As Blue as the State Allows is an album by the American blues-rock combo Sass O’Frass Tunic, released on Blonde Vinyl Records in 1992. Sass O’Frass Tunic is a southern delta blues combo fronted by singer Fred T. Friend, who co-produced the album with Dave Hackbarth. Featuring Dave Koval on blistering guitars as well as Steve Hindalong and Dan Michaels of The Choir fame, among others.

A word in your ear, you rascals. Now look here, our amigos at Dual Edge [a record store in London] go to all the trouble of importing one of the best Christian albums ever, and I hear you are refusing to recognise its existence. Why, this is so packed with Southern grit you can almost see the steam rising off those mud-caked alligators. This set’s swarming with steamy blues, laced with traces of skiffle, soul and gospel sensibilities. Yep, the real stuff. Sass O’Frass Tunic sound like quite a young band though vocalist Fred T has the thrilling voice of early Sam Cooke. Some wonderful songs «Stop Wha’Cha Doin’» will bring on the trembles and wait ’til you hear their version of the Mama Thornton/Elvis classic «Hound Dog»! You are going to hear it, aren’t you? And yes, I did pay for my copy. [Tony May, Cross Rhythms, April 1993]

CD tracklist:

01. Which One Are You? – 0:38
02. Mr. Tumbleweed – 2:23
03. Jesus Lifted Me – 1:16
04. Stop Wha’Cha Doin’ – 3:51
05. Don’t Walk On By – 2:42
06. Will The Circle Be Unbroken – 3:05
07. Don’Cha Be Afraid – 2:49
08. The Lord Is A Well – 5:12
09. Love – 3:39
10. Hounddog – 3:14
11. My World Is Falling Down – 3:26

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CREDITS. Produced by Fred T. Friend. Additional Production by Dave Hackbarth. Engineered by Dave G. Hackbarth. Additional Engineering by Chris Colbert. Mastered by Doug Doyle. Photography by Jason Pickersgill. Design and Layout by Fred T. Friend. Executive-Producer: Chris Colbert.

Musicians: Fred T. Friend (Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals), David Z. Koval (Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass), Robert Gates (Organ), Daniel Michaels (Saxophone), Greg Kemble (Harmonica), Dave G. Hackbarth (Drums and Thumping), Paul David Pellegrin (Drums and Thumping), Steve Hindalong (Percussion). Additional Vocals by Deborah Ann DeVore (tracks: 5,6) and Laura Misiuk (tracks: 8).