Most Things Haven't Worked Out

by Junior Kimbrough

Overview

While this album lacks the revelatory impact of Kimbrough's debut All Night Long, or a hair-raising number like that release's "You Better Run," and it is akin to his debut in both its packaging and its production values. With three of the tracks recorded directly from Junior Kimbrough's Juke Joint, the sound here is absolutely raw; aside from the ugly drum tone in "Everywhere I Go," it's a perfect evocation of live performance. Indeed, half the fascination in Kimbrough's works are the strange harmonics, "off" notes, and just sheer noise that gives a murky depth to his repetitive looping around a song's tonic note. Even the lyrics are often buried beneath layers of blues grunge, but it hardly matters -- the whole album qualifies as a liminal, half-waking Mississippi dream. Highlights include the hypnotic "I'm in Love," and the stomping "Burn in Hell," which Kimbrough introduces by ribbing a bandmate: "If I die before you, I go before you, I'm gonna be there to open the door -- come on in, brother!" With less than a year left to live, Kimbrough could still laugh at eternity. ~ Paul Collins

Product Details

Release Date:	09/23/1997
Label:	Fat Possum Records / Turnstile
UPC:	0045778030910

Tracks

1. Lonesome Road
2. I'm in Love
3. Everywhere I Go
4. Burn in Hell
5. Most Things Haven't Worked Out
6. Leave Her Alone
7. I Love Ya Baby
8. I'm Leaving You Baby

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Junior Kimbrough   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Kenny Brown   Guitar
Kenny Malone   Drums
Garry Burnside   Guitar (Bass)

Technical Credits

Gina R. Binkley   Design
Ron Keith   Photography
Bobby Womack   Composer
John Hermann   Producer
Junior Kimbrough   Composer
Kashif   Composer
Matthew Johnson   Producer
Joan Griffin   Composer
Robbie Norris   Engineer,Producer
Mackie Osborne   Artwork
Bill Steber   Photography
Bruce Watson   Engineer,Producer
Janice Booker   Design
Diane Painter   Art Direction