WILD ‘T’ AND THE SPIRIT – Love Crazy (1991 Warner)
I can’t believe it took me 28 years to hear this album. Wild ‘T’ (Tony Springer) got the nation’s attention in 1991, with his Arnold Lanni (Frozen Ghost)-produced debut album Love Crazy. Before that, he was making a living (and a name) as a Jimi Hendrix tribute. He was itching to be himself and Love Crazy was born.
MuchMusic was all over the big singles, “Love Crazy” and “Midnight Blues”. Tony Springer (originally from Trinidad) peddled in a hard rocking blues sound, more authentic than most of his 1991 contemporaries. A big blast of horns on “Mean Mean Mama” gives his blues a little bit o’ soul. The album is entirely original and much is co-written by Lanni. The guitar tone is greasy and drenched in pure feel. Lanni is known for getting a nice crisp sound, as heard later with King’s X and Our Lady Peace.
Though Love Crazy is a really good collection of blues both slow and heavy, it’s Springer’s guitar that many will want to hear up close. Shortly after this he was drafted by an English artist named David Bowie to be his new guitarist. He must have been enamoured with the tone of Wild ‘T’. Even if guitar isn’t your thing, dig into the horn hooks of “Yvonne”. Or the upbeat “Shotdown/Spellbound”. It’ll put some pepper in your strut today, guaranteed. The whole album is laden with good tunes and snappy, tight grooves. You can play air guitar, or just dance. Up to you.
I could have gotten this album numerous times out of the ol’ Bargain Bin for about three bucks. For whatever reason it never seemed like a priority. Then along came my VHS Archives and my rediscovery of the epic track “Midnight Blues”. I had to get the album, and I didn’t want to wait. I paid a little more than I could have just to get it right away, but it was worth it. I had an old girlfriend back in ’94 who thought I shouldn’t listen to the song “Midnight Blues” because it would make me depressed. Well, fuck you!
4/5 stars
mikeladano.com 
Not familiar with him, but love guitar blues rock. I will check this one out.
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He was handpicked by David Bowie, and also by Bon Jovi to open on the Keep the Faith tour. I dug up a full band interview — hoping to post asap.
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Bowie picked him, that is all I need to know!!
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Bowie liked Canadians in his band. Wild T was not the last — Emm Gryner was.
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Bowie has great taste in musicians. SRV was one as well (not Canadian…at least I don’t think so)
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True John…than when SRV wanted Double Trouble to open for Bowie and he said no…and SRV said see ya
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Yep, there is that
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I’d never heard of him before but I loved that track. Let’s have more!
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Check it out — just posted an interview with Wild T talking about touring with Bon Jovi.
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Loses marks for the cover nipples, surely?
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Sigh. I wrestled over that. I’m not joking.
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I mean, surely he could have worn nipple tape? I do.
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Did they have that in 93?
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Good point. It was probably still being invented by the CIA at that point.
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Your on a Wild T bender Mikey..
Thats real cool when you rediscover something after all tis time and it still knocks your block off…
Good stuff
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Never heard of him, but you got me interested in this one… I’ll need to have a look for it.
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Man, I forgot all about this guy too. I’ll have to keep my eye on the bargain bin.
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