VARIOUS ARTISTS
New Prohibition: A Musical History Of Hemp (Viper)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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After a lengthy hiatus from a string of superb tribute projects, producer Hal Willner returns with an ode to a plant. An adaptation of Jonathan Stuart's 1976 off-Broadway musical "Mary Jane," New Prohibition gathers a kick ass house band (Chris Brubeck on bass, Wayne Kramer and Chris Spedding on guitars, Danny Frankel on drums), and invites vocalists to add their magic. Sweet Pea Atkinson and Sir Henry Bowens, the late Dee Dee Ramone, Taj Mahal and of course weed spokesperson John Sinclair drop by. As with every Willner project, the musical results are superb and highly original, this time with a nice funk slant. It may not overturn any laws, but sure will please a lot of ears.

© 2002 - John Sekerka