Blues Traveler Blues Traveler Lyrics

Led by John Popper's virtuoso harmonica playing, Blues Traveler introduced a distinctive new sound into the burgeoning New York City jam-band scene in the late 1980s. On their self-titled debut, the quartet introduced 11 blues-tinged rock tunes that in concert would spread out to extended improvisations, but on record often had the snap of compact, well-structured pop. "But Anyway," became an early signature tune, thanks to Popper's dexterous soloing and his rapid-fire delivery of the song's flippant lyrics. The shapeshifting "Slow Change," gives a better indication of the group's performance chops, as do "Sweet Talking Hippie," "Gina," and the wistful "100 Years," which have become longtime concert staples. --Daniel Durchholz