In the Shadow of the City

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In the Shadow of the City
Studio album by
Maurice John Vaughn
Released1993
GenreBlues, funk
LabelAlligator[1]
ProducerMaurice John Vaughn
Maurice John Vaughn chronology
I Got Money
(1986) 		In the Shadow of the City
(1993) 		Dangerous Road
(2001)

In the Shadow of the City is an album by the American musician Maurice John Vaughn, released in 1993.[2][3] Vaughn supported the album with a North American tour.[4] "(Everything I Do) Got to Be Funky", which was a minor, regional radio hit, appears on the soundtrack to Major League II.[5][6]

Production[edit]

Vaughn started working on the album in 1990.[7] The song selection was the result of a compromise between Vaughn and label head Bruce Iglauer.[8] Vaughn sang and played guitar and saxophone on the album.[9]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[10]
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings[11]

The Chicago Reader praised the "brooding urban funk of 'Blood Red Sky'."[12] The Rocky Mountain News wrote that Vaughn's "superior songwriting and playing mark him as a blues force to be reckoned with."[13] The Wisconsin State Journal stated that "Vaughn's style is a special blend of funky urban blues steeped in the tradition of Muddy Waters and Howling Wolf."[14]

The Denver Post called the songs "laid-back, funk-influenced and rueful."[15] The Houston Chronicle labeled Vaughn "a modern Chicago bluesman who mixes in healthy portions of funk and soul."[16] The Salt Lake Tribune noted the "powerful, sometimes humorous songs."[17]

AllMusic wrote that Vaughn "spreads his stylistic wings considerably further than he did on his debut, embracing funk more fully than his first time around but offering enough tasty contemporary blues to keep everyone happy."[10]

Track listing[edit]

No.TitleLength
1."Can't Nobody" 
2."I Want to Be Your Spy" 
3."(Everything I Do) Got to Be Funky" 
4."Blood Red Sky" 
5."Game Over" 
6."Love Bone" 
7."Treat Me So Bad" 
8."Watching Your Watch" 
9."Eager Beaver" 
10."Are You Satisfied?" 
11."Suicide Is Not the Way" 
12."Small Town Baby" 

References[edit]

  1. ^ Iglauer, Bruce; Roberts, Patrick A. (October 19, 2018). "Bitten by the Blues: The Alligator Records Story". University of Chicago Press – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "Maurice John Vaughn Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. ^ Hadley, Frank-John (Jul 1993). "Blues hoodoo". DownBeat. 60 (7): 42.
  4. ^ Saxberg, Lynn (29 Apr 1993). "Versatile Vaughn serves up tasty dish of melodies". Ottawa Citizen. p. E3.
  5. ^ Meier, Patty (September 1, 1994). "VERSATILITY KEY TO BLUESMAN'S SUCCESS". Journal Star. Peoria. p. C2.
  6. ^ Dahl, Bill (15 Apr 1994). "Blues notes". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. P.
  7. ^ Dahl, Bill (9 Apr 1993). "Maurice John Vaughn due for some notice". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. P.
  8. ^ Dahl, Bill (April 13, 2018). "Featured interview – Maurice John Vaughn". Blues Blast Magazine.
  9. ^ "BLUES AT THE DINGO". Albuquerque Journal. 29 Oct 1995. p. D6.
  10. ^ a b "Maurice John Vaughn - In the Shadow of the City Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  11. ^ The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin Books Ltd. 2006. pp. 669–670.
  12. ^ "Maurice John Vaughn". Chicago Reader. April 22, 1999.
  13. ^ Rassenfoss, Joe (April 23, 1993). "ALLIGATOR CASTS SHADE OF THE BLUES ON 2 NEW CDS". Rocky Mountain News. p. 21C.
  14. ^ Kassulke, Natasha (May 6, 1994). "VAUGHN TOTES IN GUITAR, BLUES". Rhythm. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 7.
  15. ^ Rosen, Steven (May 7, 1993). "Bluesman makes comeback". Arts. The Denver Post. p. 24.
  16. ^ "Critics' picks". Houston. Houston Chronicle. October 7, 1993. p. 3.
  17. ^ Renzhofer, Martin (April 25, 1997). "Blues Original". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. D14.
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