Track Listing

1. Freeker By The Speaker
2. One Hit Wonder
3. Hunting Charlie
4. Alligator Alley
5. Spring Buds
6. Mental Instra
7. Vabeeotchay
8. Bob Rules
9. Freakshow
10. Gallivanting
11. God Is My Palm Pilot
12. Crooked
13. Old Lady From Carlsbad
14. Kidney In A Cooler
15. Freeker Repise

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #61507 in Music
• Released on: 2002-02-19
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
By subduing some of his trademark acoustic ferocity, Keller Williams has come up with a markedly more cohesive collection than past efforts. Rather than showcasing the technical wizardry that has earned him acclaim, here Williams melds his formidable skills with Tye North's restrained bass and Dave Watt's unerring drumming to create a more integrated work that backs away from the series of glancing blows and showy displays of instrumental prowess found on some of his earlier works. His stream-of-consciousness lyrics are still intact, but these wry observations and travelogues from the road show a greater depth and insight. The overriding theme here--the importance of honoring one's own eccentricities and remaining psychologically and intellectually free--are best expressed on the rather droll "Alligator Alley," a play on the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil," in which he wades deeply into the shoals of paranoia before proclaiming, "I set Willie free / Yeah, that was me." Indeed, his covers further amplify Laugh's keynote theme: both Ani DiFranco's "Freakshow" and the Michael Hedges's "Spring Buds" applaud the importance of following your own path. Which is exactly what Williams intends to do, laughing all the way. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews

Laugh, Groove, Laugh
After hearing 'Freeker at the Speaker' on a local college station, I had to get more. My tastes run the gamut from classic rock, psychedelic, jazz/instrumental, folk, funk, blues; I think alot of stuff under the 'jam band' rubric is pretty played out and overly noodly, but after sampling "Laugh" (over and over), Keller gets a special pass. The songs are quirky and concise enough to be enjoyable and have some staying power. He's obviously indebted to bands like Phish, perhaps Ween, Dave Matthews, etc, and could be said to inhabit the same constellation, with a bit more folk/blugrass/funk thrown in. 'Kidney in a Cooler' should have anyone with a sense of humor and appreciation of a deep groove at least tapping their feet, probably dancing, and definitely busting a gut. The musicianship is great on this album.

amazing
there is a uniqueness to keller williams' music that is hard to describe. The one thing that I can say is that no other album makes me feel like smiling as much as this one does....In a day and age where its fashionable to be miserable, keller has done the exact opposite and made a record that tells you not to take life too seriously..

Groovy, funky and entertaining
A great compilation of a variety of music styles. As usual Keller keeps both ends of the deal with great lyrics and accompaniment.
You will laugh and get down at the same. Each song has its own legs and you'll will be happy there is a whole album and not just one good single.