A couple of months ago, Jack Butler called me. We hadn’t been in contact for some time, so it was nice to talk with him. (In case you don’t know who Jack is, he’s the lead guitarist, backing vocalist, and co-leader with singer Paul Shaffer of Private Domain, one of San Diego’s longest-lived rock bands.)
Jack complained to me that, ”People just think of us as a cover band and it’s making us depressed! How can we remind every Troubadour reader that we’re an excellent rock band?”
Being a huge fan, I shot back, “I’ll write a review of your latest album, Jack!”
So here it is…
Private Domain’s latest release, Great Leaders, was issued in 2007, during the reign of the Bush administration (as well as the collapsing economy).
Right off the bat, I must tell you that this album, except for the final two tracks, is a collection of overtly political songs, half of which were on earlier releases (in different versions), that rock like hell and don’t come off as preachy or maudlin!
Highlights include the title track, “Great Leaders,” a remake of a song that first appeared on the band’s 1993 album Total Sanctuary.
The lyrics basically say, “Hey, why are all these a*holes in charge; where are all the good guys?” Butler’s slide guitar work is exceptional and the song has an unforgettable hook.
Just let me point out right here that Jack Butler is one of the best and most creative guitarists I have had the pleasure to hear. His guitar work shines throughout this recording. So I won’t belabor the point any further.
Another remake is the third track, “Spiritual Warfare,” dealing with religion versus religion, pious versus secular, Bible versus Koran.
It first appeared on Private Domain’s eponymous 1988 album, which was released nationally by Priority Records. With a great bass intro and harmonized spoken/rapped verses over swirling guitars, its refrain is, “Who has the word…who has the word?” It’s actually prescient!
“Say No (to the Freedom Killers)” is a reggae number with fuzzy guitar and an irresistible chorus of, “Say no, say no…to da freedom killers!” Singer Paul Shaffer (he’s great, too) affects a simple Jamaican accent. Sounds cliched, but it’s soooo damned catchy!
Especially in the second half of the song when the bassist Daryl Johnson and drummer Larry Dent lock into the riff from the end of Pink Floyd’s “Sheep.” “Say No” was also on the 1988 album.
“So Comfortable” is an anthemic rabble-rouser in the U.S. of A., ignorance is bliss and our excesses are all that really matter.
“We’re so comfortable…we don’t seem to care at all.” I wrote here on my notepad, in capital letters, “KICKS ASS!”
The production by Shaffer and Butler is top-notch. The mix by Richard “Blitz” Livoni is crisp and alive. Total pros all.
These guys play a lot around the county. Check out Private Domain at Dick’s Last Resort, where they’ve been in residency for years. They do a set of original material every night…and they’ll probably have copies of Great Leaders for you. (Like someone once said, “Writing about music is like dancing about architecture”…you gotta hear for
yourself.)
I love this album!
P.S. I would have loaned you guys $20 for better cover art…ha!