Five Man Acoustical Jam

by Tesla

Overview

Comparisons to MTV Unplugged tend to be thrown around in an attempt to promote any pre-Unplugged acoustic music by linking it with a successful, more contemporary phenomenon, but Tesla's Five Man Acoustical Jam was actually a legitimate predecessor of the trend -- it bears a strong resemblance to early Unplugged sessions in its informality and sense that the band is just having fun. Perhaps more importantly, the fact that a cover of the Five Man Electrical Band's "Signs" became a Top Ten hit demonstrated that acoustic rock & roll -- not just ballads like Guns N' Roses' "Patience" or Extreme's "More Than Words" -- could find acceptance and commercial viability with rock audiences. As for the musical results, Tesla's originals generally translate well to the acoustic format, though some of the jams tend to ramble and lose focus, a fact underscored by the tightly melodic covers of '60s classics like "Lodi" and "Mother's Little Helper." Still, this adds to the informal atmosphere, and the album is a nice change of pace from the rest of Tesla's catalog. ~ Steve Huey

Product Details

Release Date:	12/08/1990
Label:	Geffen / Universal
UPC:	0720642431122
Rank:	67699

Tracks

1. Comin' Atcha Live/Truckin'
2. Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)
3. The Way It Is
4. We Can Work It Out
5. Signs
6. Gettin' Better
7. Before My Eyes
8. Paradise
9. Lodi
10. Mother's Little Helper
11. Modern Day Cowboy
12. Love Song
13. Tommy's Down Home
14. Down Fo' Boogie

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Tesla   Primary Artist
Brian Wheat   Vocals (Background),Piano,Bass
Tommy Skeoch   Guitar,Guitar (Electric),Guitar (12 String),Vocals (Background)
Troy Luccketta   Drums,Percussion
Frank Hannon   Guitar,Harmonica,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Jeff Keith   Vocals,Tambourine

Technical Credits

Dan McClendon   Producer,Engineer,Producer
Mike Beyer   Engineer
Brian Wheat   Composer
Keith Richards   Composer
David Hewitt   Engineer
Robert Hunter   Composer
Phil Lesh   Composer
Mick Jagger   Composer
Arthur Thomas   Composer
Tommy Skeoch   Composer
Les Emmerson   Composer
Joe Ed Keith   Composer
Richard Jagger   Composer
Troy Luccketta   Composer
Jerry Garcia   Composer
Arthur Goring Thomas   Composer
John Lennon   Composer
John Fogerty   Composer
Paul McCartney   Composer
Bob Weir   Composer
Frank Hannon   Composer
Jeff Keith   Composer