Big Shot in the Dark

Big Shot in the Dark is the fourth album by the American band Timbuk 3, released in 1991.[2][3] "Mudflap Girl" was released as a single.[4]

Big Shot in the Dark
Studio album by
Timbuk 3
Released1991
StudioThe Doghouse (Austin)
GenreRoots rock
LabelI.R.S.[1]
ProducerPat and Barbara K. MacDonald
Timbuk 3 chronology
Edge of Allegiance
(1989)		 Big Shot in the Dark
(1991)		 Espace Ornano
(1993)

Production

Big Shot in the Dark was Timbuk 3's first album as a four-piece band. Courtney Audain played bass and steel drums, and Wally Ingram served as the drummer/percussionist.[5] "The Border Crossing" was inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall.[6] Evan Johns played guitar on "Mudflap Girl".[7]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
Calgary HeraldB[9]

The Chicago Tribune called Timbuk 3 "a distinctly American band both in its spare, rootsy rock sound and its thematic obsession with the American dream gone awry."[10] The Calgary Herald deemed the album "Timbuk 3 at its twangy, idiosyncratic best."[9]

Kenneth Bays of AllMusic wrote: "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.
  1. God Made an Angel
  2. Sunshine
  3. Two Medicines (Barbara K. MacDonald)
  4. The Border Crossing (Barbara K. MacDonald)
  5. Big Shot in the Dark
  6. Mudflap Girl
  7. Dis•••land (Was Made for You & Me)
  8. Wake Up Little Darlin'
  9. '49 Plymouth
  10. The Little Things
  11. 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

References
  1. Erskine, Evelyn (19 Oct 1991). "Timbuk 3 Big Shot in the Dark". Ottawa Citizen. p. C3.
  2. Okamoto, David (19 July 1991). "Sardonic Timbuk 3 still prefers modest prosposals to preaching". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. D4.
  3. Johnson, Robert (July 12, 1991). "Timbuk 3 set to unveil new tunes". San Antonio Express-News. p. 13F.
  4. Mackie, John (20 Dec 1991). "Texas blues band's biting lyrics tug at the conscience, but gently". Vancouver Sun. p. D9.
  5. Christensen, Thor (27 Aug 1991). "'Big Shot in the Dark' is on target". The Milwaukee Journal. p. D1.
  6. Howell, Peter (18 Oct 1991). "Timbuk 3 expands from Timbuk 2 to Timbuk 4". Toronto Star. p. D16.
  7. Couture, Pete (3 Jan 1992). "'Big Shot' Hits the Mark for Timbuk 3". Weekend. St. Petersburg Times. p. 18.
  8. Big Shot in the Dark at AllMusic
  9. Zimmerman, Kate (22 Sep 1991). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. E2.
  10. Heim, Chris (6 Sep 1991). "Timbuk 3 is now a foursome". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. N.
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