Big Shot in the Dark
Big Shot in the Dark is the fourth album from Timbuk 3, and their debut as a four-piece band. It was the first major release for Trinidad-Tobago native Courtney Audain who played bass and added steel drums to the group's instrumentation, and for drummer/percussionist Wally Ingram who later went on to record and tour with major artists Tracy Chapman, Sheryl Crow, and Bonnie Raitt. Timbuk3's previous three albums were recorded by the husband and wife team of Pat MacDonald and Barbara K. MacDonald alone.
Big Shot in the Dark | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 27, 1991 | |||
Studio | The Doghouse (Austin) | |||
Genre | Alternative rock | |||
Label | I.R.S. Records | |||
Producer | Pat and Barbara K. MacDonald | |||
Timbuk 3 chronology | ||||
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Critical reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic |
Kenneth Bays of AllMusic says: "On their fourth album, Timbuk 3 officially became a foursome… there's a newfound sense of instrumental adventurousness all around. ("'49 Plymouth" employs a lute, while an instrumental version of "Sunshine" is played on steel drums)... Big Shot in the Dark has a bluesy, droning quality throughout, a vibe that would be amplified further on Timbuk 3's 1994 EP Looks Like Dark to Me."
Track listing
- All songs written by Pat MacDonald, except where noted.
- God Made an Angel
- Sunshine
- Two Medicines (Barbara K. MacDonald)
- Border Crossing (Barbara K. MacDonald)
- Big Shot in the Dark
- Mudflap Girl
- Dis•••land (Was Made for You & Me)
- Wake Up Little Darlin'
- '49 Plymouth
- The Little Things
- Sunshine (Instrumental)
Personnel
- Timbuk 3
- Pat MacDonald: Vocals, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Harmonica, Lute, Sampler
- Barbara K. MacDonald: Vocals, Electric Guitars, Violin, Percussion, Keyboards and Programming
- Courtney Audain: Bass, Keyboards, Steel Drums, Various Other Percussion
- Wally Ingram: Drums, Percussion, Handclaps
- Additional Personnel
- Liz Harrah: Organ on track 1
- Evan Johns: Lead and Slide Guitar on track 6
- Gary Moon: Hand claps
- John Treanor: Washboard on tracks 3, 4, and 9
- Production
- Arranged and produced by Pat and Barbara K. MacDonald
- Recording by Gary Moon; technical assistance by David Roach
- Mixed by David Tickle (The Bunker, Malibu)
- Mastered by Alan Yoshida at The Mastering Lab