Merl Saunders
Still Having Fun
First Appeared in The Music Box
November/December 1996, Volume 3, #8
Written by John Metzger
This is Merl's follow-up to 1991's Save the Planet So We'll Have Someplace to Boogie. Like
it's predecessor, Still Having Fun captures some of the best moments from a Merl Saunders'
concert.
The latest incarnation of Merl's Rainforest Band has been together for a number of years and
sounds tighter than ever on this release. All of the selections were recorded in 1993 with the
exception of Lonesome Fever which is taken from a House of Blues performance last year.
Most notable are three tracks recorded in Denver on June 10, 1993 with saxophone player Billy
Tolles. I Feel Like Dynamite and Sugaree all take off to another realm as Tolles,
Saunders, and guitarist Michael Hinton take turns ripping through the songs. In contrast, the three
performers show how delicately they can craft their music by masterfully handling the classic My
Funny Valentine. 
This disc is not available from CD NOW or Amazon.com. You might still be able to pick it up at
one of Merl's concert appearances.
Ratings
1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!
Copyright © 1996
The Music Box
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