Rating: NNNN
Late Texas Tornado Doug Sahm caught shit from the fans back in 70 for 1+1+1 = 4 because it veered so drastically from the predictable Farfisa-fired party platters Sir Doug had been cutting during the previous decade. Inspired by chitlin circuit R&B, West Coast Chicano-rock fusion and yearning for the Texas honky-tonks back home, Sahm improvised a funky country hybrid of his own that today sounds far fresher than any of the Quintet’s Huey Meaux-filtered “classics.” Don’t Bug Me wouldn’t sound out of place in a Keb Darge set. As a bonus, the Aussie Raven label includes the Return Of Doug Saldana album, wherein, returning home to San Antonio, Sahm drifts back in a jukejoint reverie captured here in soulful takes on Wasted Days, Wasted Nights and She’s Huggin’ You, But She’s Lookin’ At Me. Mendocino it ain’t this is all Doug Sahm.