12 Bar Blues (album)

Last updated

12 Bar Blues
12 bar blues weiland.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 31, 1998 (1998-03-31)
RecordedScott's house, Foxy Dead Girl, Royaltone, Oceanway, The Village, and Master Control
Genre
Length58:51
Label Atlantic
Producer Blair Lamb
Scott Weiland chronology
12 Bar Blues
(1998)
"Happy" in Galoshes
(2008)

12 Bar Blues is the debut solo album from Scott Weiland and produced by Blair Lamb. Scott was a founding member and singer for Stone Temple Pilots. 12 Bar Blues's sound and style differ greatly from STP's previous releases. The design concept of the cover is a homage to the cover design of John Coltrane's Blue Train album. The album title comes from the simple chord progression known as "twelve-bar blues".

Contents

A 25th anniversary vinyl limited pressing (7,500) was offered by Rhino Records for a special Record Store Day release April 22, 2023.

Development

In a 1998 interview on MTV's 120 Minutes , Weiland states that his then brother-in-law introduced him to Blair Lamb, who recorded and produced 12 Bar Blues with Weiland acting as co-producer. [1]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Robert Christgau Rating-Christgau-dud.svg [3]
Entertainment Weekly B [4]
Pitchfork 7.8/10 [5]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Spin 7/10 [7]

Released in 1998 on Atlantic Records, the album was not a commercial success, selling only 90,000 copies in the United States by June 1998. [8]

The album received positive reviews. In a retrospective review, Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic declared that "12 Bar Blues is an unpredictable, carnivalesque record confirming that Weiland was the visionary behind STP's sound. He's fascinated by sound, piling on layers of shredded guitars, drum loops, and keyboards, making sure that each song sounds drastically different from its predecessor." [9] David Fricke of Rolling Stone awarded the album 3.5 out of 5 stars and declared that "12 Bar Blues isn't really a rock album, or even a pop album. Weiland, out on his own, has simply made an honest album – honest in its confusion, ambition and indulgence. It was worth the risk." but also remarked that "Maybe it's a little early for Scott Weiland to be going the solo way." [10] Pitchfork Media stated upon its release that "12 Bar Blues is easily the most innovative album Weiland has ever produced for public consumption," [11] while Entertainment Weekly wrote that "the LP's sheer invention and hooks will make your indulgence worthwhile." [4]

Track listing

  1. "Desperation #5" – 4:05
  2. "Lazy Divey" – 4:00
  3. "Barbarella" – 6:36
  4. "About Nothing" – 4:48
  5. "Where's the Man" – 4:55
  6. "Divider" – 4:23
  7. "Cool Kiss" – 4:55
  8. "The Date" – 5:21
  9. "Son" – 5:04
  10. "Jimmy Was a Stimulator" – 3:58
  11. "Lady, Your Roof Brings Me Down" – 5:26
  12. "Mockingbird Girl" – 5:02
  13. "Opposite Octave Reaction" – 4:18

Track information

Personnel

Production

Chart performance

Sales chart performance for 12 Bar Blues
ChartPeak
US Billboard 200 [14] 42
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [15] 47

Additionally, "Barbarella" peaked at 194 on the UK Singles Chart [16]

Chart (2023)Peak
position
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ) [17] 26

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stone Temple Pilots</span> American rock band

Stone Temple Pilots is an American rock band formed in San Diego, California, in 1989. Originally consisting of Scott Weiland, brothers Dean (guitar) and Robert DeLeo, and Eric Kretz (drums), the band's lineup remained unchanged from its formation until the firing of Weiland in February 2013. Vocalist Chester Bennington joined the band in May 2013 but left amicably in November 2015. In 2016, the band launched an online audition for a new lead vocalist; they announced Jeff Gutt as the new lead singer on November 14, 2017.

<i>Core</i> (Stone Temple Pilots album) 1992 studio album by Stone Temple Pilots

Core is the debut studio album by the American rock band Stone Temple Pilots, released by Atlantic Records on September 29, 1992.

<i>Purple</i> (Stone Temple Pilots album) 1994 studio album by Stone Temple Pilots

Purple is the second studio album by the American rock band Stone Temple Pilots, released on June 7, 1994, by Atlantic Records. The album, building on the foundation laid by the band's debut album Core (1992), was a major commercial success, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 252,000 copies sold in its first week. It remained at the top of the chart for three weeks, eventually selling over six million copies. It spawned a number of successful singles; "Vasoline" and "Interstate Love Song" both topped the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and reached number 2 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, while "Big Empty" also reached the top ten on both charts. Lesser known album cuts "Pretty Penny" and "Unglued" were released as promotional radio singles.

<i>Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop</i> 1996 studio album by Stone Temple Pilots

Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop is the third studio album by the American rock band Stone Temple Pilots, released on March 26, 1996 through Atlantic Records. After a brief hiatus throughout 1995, the band regrouped to record the album together at Westerly Ranch in Santa Ynez, California, where they also lived at the time. Like all of the band's albums up to that point, production was handled by Brendan O'Brien.

<i>No. 4</i> (album) 1999 studio album by Stone Temple Pilots

No. 4 is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Stone Temple Pilots, released on October 26, 1999, by Atlantic Records. The album was a return to the band's earlier hard rock roots, while also blending elements of heavy metal, psychedelic rock, and alternative rock. Despite the lack of promotion due to singer Scott Weiland's one-year jail sentence shortly before the album's release, No. 4 was certified Platinum by the RIAA on August 7, 2000, and by the CRIA in August 2001. The song "Down" was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance at the Grammy Awards. The album also produced one of STP's biggest hits, "Sour Girl", which charted at #78 on the Billboard Hot 100, their only song to appear on that chart. The CD was originally released as a digipak, then later changed to a standard jewel case.

<i>Shangri-La Dee Da</i> 2001 studio album by Stone Temple Pilots

Shangri-La Dee Da is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Stone Temple Pilots. It was released on June 19, 2001, through Atlantic Records. Recording took place throughout the winter and spring of 2001 in a Malibu villa. It was the band's fifth and final album to be produced by Brendan O'Brien and their last before breaking up in 2003.

<i>Thank You</i> (Stone Temple Pilots album) 2003 greatest hits album by Stone Temple Pilots

Thank You is a greatest hits collection released by the American rock band Stone Temple Pilots on November 11, 2003 on Atlantic Records. The album has sold over 500,000 copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Weiland</span> American singer (1967–2015)

Scott Richard Weiland was an American singer and songwriter. He was best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Stone Temple Pilots from 1989 to 2003 and again from 2008 to 2013, recording six albums with them, and as the lead vocalist of the rock supergroup Velvet Revolver from 2003 to 2008. He also released one album with rock supergroup Art of Anarchy in 2015, as well as four solo studio albums and several collaborations with other musicians throughout his career.

<i>Time Out of Mind</i> (Bob Dylan album) 1997 studio album by Bob Dylan

Time Out of Mind is the thirtieth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on September 30, 1997, through Columbia Records. It was released as a single CD as well as a double studio album on vinyl, his first since The Basement Tapes in 1975.

"Five to One" is a song by American rock band the Doors, from their 1968 album Waiting for the Sun. The song's lyrics were written by lead singer Jim Morrison, though the songwriting credit identified each member of the Doors as songwriters.

<i>Wrecking Ball</i> (Emmylou Harris album) 1995 studio album by Emmylou Harris

Wrecking Ball is the eighteenth studio album by American country artist Emmylou Harris, released on September 26, 1995, through Elektra Records. Moving away from her traditional acoustic sound, Harris collaborated with producer Daniel Lanois and engineer Mark Howard. The album has been noted for its atmospheric feel, and featured guest performances by Steve Earle, Larry Mullen Jr., Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Lucinda Williams and Neil Young, who wrote the title song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sex Type Thing</span> 1993 single by Stone Temple Pilots

"Sex Type Thing" is the debut single of American rock band Stone Temple Pilots, released from their debut studio album, Core, in March 1993. "Sex Type Thing" also appears on the greatest hits compilation album Thank You. The song spawned a music video which received moderate rotation on MTV. The single peaked at number 23 on the US Album Rock Tracks chart.

<i>Mr. Lucky</i> (John Lee Hooker album) 1991 studio album by John Lee Hooker

Mr. Lucky is a 1991 album by American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist John Lee Hooker. Produced by Ry Cooder, Roy Rogers and Carlos Santana under the executive production of Mike Kappus, the album featured musicians including Keith Richards, Blues Hall of Fame inductee Johnny Winter; and three inductees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Van Morrison, Booker T. Jones and Johnnie Johnson. And also Chester D. Thompson, who once played with Santana, on keyboards, has collaborated on writing a song on the album. Released on Virgin Records, including on its imprint label Classic Records, Mr. Lucky peaked at #101 on the "Billboard 200". Chester D. Thompson should not be mistaken with Chester Cortez Thompson, a drummer who also played with Santana, Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, Weather Report, Genesis and Phil Collins.

<i>"Happy" in Galoshes</i> 2008 studio album by Scott Weiland

"Happy" in Galoshes is the second solo album by American rock singer Scott Weiland. Weiland, known for his roles as the lead singer in Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, released his first album, 12 Bar Blues in 1998. Ten years later, "Happy" in Galoshes served as the official follow-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbarella (song)</span> 1998 single by Scott Weiland

"Barbarella" is the only official single released from Scott Weiland's 1998 debut album 12 Bar Blues. The song is titled after the sci-fi film Barbarella, while the lyrics of the song pay homage to several science fiction television shows and movies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady, Your Roof Brings Me Down</span> 1997 single by Scott Weiland

"Lady, Your Roof Brings Me Down" is a song by Scott Weiland first appearing on the Great Expectations Soundtrack and then later on his debut album 12 Bar Blues. The song features Sheryl Crow on accordion.

<i>Stone Temple Pilots</i> (2010 album) 2010 studio album by Stone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots is the sixth studio album by the American rock band Stone Temple Pilots. The album was released between May 21 and May 27, 2010 worldwide, and is the band's first album since 2001's Shangri-La Dee Da. The album is the result of the band's reunion, which occurred in April 2008 with their North American tour. After Stone Temple Pilots had begun playing together, the band decided to record again, but a lawsuit filed by Atlantic Records on June 12, 2008, made the sixth album an uncertainty. Atlantic eventually withdrew the lawsuit, and the band's attorney called the legal situation a "misunderstanding". The album is also the band's final release with the full original lineup, as vocalist Scott Weiland was dismissed from the band in 2013, and died in 2015. It is also their last to be released through Atlantic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just Your Fool</span> Single by Little Walter

"Just Your Fool" is a rhythm and blues-style song written and recorded by the American jazz and jump blues bandleader/pianist Buddy Johnson and His Orchestra in 1953. Called an "R&B anthem", the song has a big-band arrangement and his sister Ella Johnson on vocals—her "delicate and deceptively sweet phrasing was ideally suited to ballads such as this". "I'm Just Your Fool" became a Billboard R&B chart record hit, reaching number six in 1954.

<i>High Rise</i> (EP) 2013 EP by Stone Temple Pilots with Chester Bennington

High Rise is an EP by the American rock band Stone Temple Pilots, released on October 8, 2013 through their self-record label Play Pen, LLC. It is the first release by the band without former lead vocalist Scott Weiland, who was fired from the band in February 2013, and the only release to feature Chester Bennington of Linkin Park on lead vocals. Bennington later departed the band in 2015 and died in 2017. Two singles were released to promote the EP; "Out of Time" and "Black Heart". The EP received generally mixed reviews from critics.

<i>Blaster</i> (Scott Weiland album) 2015 studio album by Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts

Blaster is the only studio album by American rock band Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts, as well as Weiland's final album to be recorded and released during his lifetime. The album was released on March 31, 2015, by Softdrive Records.

References

  1. "YouTube.com: Scott Weiland - interview 1998".[ dead YouTube link ]
  2. AllMusic review
  3. Christgau, Robert. "Scott Weiland Reviews". Robertchristgau.com. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  4. 1 2 "12 Bar Blues". EW.com.
  5. Schreiber, Ryan. "12 Bar Blues". pitchfork.com. Retrieved on April 29, 2010.
  6. "Rolling Stone review". Archived from the original on May 12, 2007.
  7. Spin 4/98, pp.124-125
  8. Wolk, Josh (June 3, 1998). "Pilot Error". EW.com. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  9. Allmusic review, cited September 20, 2008
  10. Rolling Stone Rolling Stone Magazine review, cited September 20, 2008
  11. "Scott Weiland: 12 Bar Blues: Pitchfork Review". November 26, 2001. Archived from the original on November 26, 2001.
  12. https://www.spin.com/2023/03/scott-weiland-solo-debut-reissue/
  13. https://www.discogs.com/master/130318-Scott-Weiland-12-Bar-Blues
  14. "Scott Weiland Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  15. "Charts.nz – Scott Weiland – {{{album}}}". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  16. "Chart Log UK: Kristine W - Tammy Wynette". zobbel.de.
  17. "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2023. 17. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 5 May 2023.