| Alligator | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Genre | Hard rock, heavy metal, blues rock | |||
| Length | 29:52 | |||
| Label | I.R.S. | |||
| Producer | Leslie West, Paul Orofino | |||
| Leslie West chronology | ||||
| ||||
Alligator is an album by the American musician Leslie West, released in 1989 on I.R.S. Records. [1] [2] West supported the album by participating in the Guitar Speak and Night of the Guitars tours. [3] [4]
I.R.S. allowed West the freedom to make the album he wanted. [5] Stanley Clarke played bass on "Whiskey" and "All of Me". [6] Johnette Napolitano sang on the cover of Free's "The Stealer". [6] "I Put a Spell on You" is a cover of the Screamin' Jay Hawkins song. [7] The liner notes contain a recipe for alligator chili. [8]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [9] |
The Province deemed the album "as patchy as any of his solo LPs but it highlights his recent work with a Casio guitar synthesizer and his fluid, crying style—a style still rooted in rock and blues that is different from voguish speed merchants." [10] The Chicago Sun-Times called it "an eclectic collection of songs that highlights West's deft electric guitar-playing skills and passion for unusual material." [11]
The Daily Breeze opined that the "'Hall of the Mountain King/Theme from Exodus' medley, one of the album's most painful episodes, sounds like it was accidentally recorded during a rehearsal." [12] The San Diego Union-Tribune noted that "instrumentals 'Waiting for the F Change', 'Whiskey', 'All of Me' and 'Alligator' promise much, but West seems to lose concentration, grow bored or something." [13]
AllMusic wrote that West "plays some hot guitar here, of course, but then not as much as one might like, and he sings a lot here, too, perhaps more than one might like." [9]
Jalacy J. "Screamin' Jay" Hawkins was an American singer-songwriter, musician, actor, film producer, and boxer. Famed chiefly for his powerful, operatic vocal delivery and wildly theatrical performances of songs such as "I Put a Spell on You", he sometimes used macabre props onstage, making him an early pioneer of shock rock. He received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his performance in the 1989 indie film Mystery Train.
Concrete Blonde was an American rock band from Hollywood, California. They were initially active from 1982 to 1994, and reunited twice: first from 2001 to 2004, and again from 2010 to 2012. They were best known for their album Bloodletting (1990), its top 20 single "Joey", and Johnette Napolitano's distinctive vocal style.
Animal Logic is a band formed in 1987 by drummer Stewart Copeland, bassist Stanley Clarke, and singer-songwriter Deborah Holland. The group recorded two albums under the auspices of manager Miles Copeland III before disbanding.
Johnette Napolitano is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and bassist for the alternative rock group Concrete Blonde.
John Laird Abercrombie was an American jazz guitarist. His work explored jazz fusion, free jazz, and avant-garde jazz. Abercrombie studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. He was known for his understated style and his work with organ trios.
Bloodletting is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde. Released on May 15, 1990, the album marks a shift for the band toward gothic rock. It features guest appearances by R.E.M.'s Peter Buck and Wall of Voodoo's Andy Prieboy.
Mexican Moon is the fifth studio album by alternative rock band Concrete Blonde.
Man's World is the sixth studio album by American hard rock band Mountain, and their first album in over 10 years. It features a cover of the James Brown song "It's a Man's Man's Man's World", from which it takes its title.
The Great Fatsby is the second album by American rock guitarist, singer and songwriter Leslie West. It was released on Bud Prager's Phantom Records in March 1975 and distributed by RCA Records. The album features Mick Jagger on rhythm guitar. The album features four original tracks alongside West's interpretation of six other songs: covers of tracks by Paul Kelly, the Animals, the Rolling Stones, Sharks, Tim Hardin and Free.
Copy Cats is an album by the American musicians Johnny Thunders and Patti Palladin. It is a set of rock and roll oldies, originally recorded from 1954 to 1969. It was named after being a set of cover versions and as the title of a Gary U.S. Bonds song, "Copycat", which was recorded for the album but not released. Thunders was inspired by John Lennon's Rock 'n' Roll.
"Tomorrow Wendy" is a song written and originally recorded by American singer-songwriter Andy Prieboy. Released in 1990 as the lead single from his first solo album ...Upon My Wicked Son, Prieboy recorded the song as a duet with Johnette Napolitano. In 1990, Napolitano would also record the song with her band Concrete Blonde for their third studio album Bloodletting.
"Heal It Up" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1993 as the second single from their fifth studio album Mexican Moon. The song was written by Johnette Napolitano, and produced by Concrete Blonde and Sean Freehill.
"Ghost of a Texas Ladies' Man" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1992 as the lead single from their fourth studio album Walking in London. The song was written by Johnette Napolitano, and produced by Concrete Blonde and Chris Tsangarides. It reached number 2 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in March 1992.
"Caroline" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1990 as the third single from their third studio album Bloodletting. The song was written by Johnette Napolitano, and produced by Concrete Blonde and Chris Tsangarides. The song reached number 23 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
"God Is a Bullet" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1989 as the lead single from their second studio album Free. The song was written and produced by the band. "God Is a Bullet" reached number 15 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
"True" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1987 as the second single from their debut studio album Concrete Blonde (1986). The song was written by Johnette Napolitano and James Mankey, and produced by Earle Mankey and Concrete Blonde. The song reached number 42 on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.
"Someday?" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1992 as the second single from their fourth studio album Walking in London. The song was written by Johnette Napolitano, and produced by Concrete Blonde and Chris Tsangarides. "Someday?" reached number 8 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in May 1992.
"Happy Birthday" is a song from American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, which was released in 1989 as the second single from their second studio album Free. The song was written and produced by the band.
Pretty & Twisted is the debut album by the American band Pretty & Twisted, released in 1995. It was the band's only album.