Back in '59, Bob Marshall's Crystals dropped A Big Bite Of The Blues Aint No Big Thing, and man, it’s one of those albums that sneaks up on you. Released under DC Records, this little slice of American rock ‘n’ blues feels like a dusty jukebox gem you stumble across in some forgotten roadside diner. It doesn’t scream for attention—it just sits there, cool as hell, waiting for you to notice its charm.
Let’s talk tracks. First off, “Ain’t No Big Thing” hits hard right outta the gate. It’s got this raw, gritty vibe that grabs your ears and won’t let go. The guitar licks? Sharp enough to cut glass but loose enough to feel lived-in. You can almost picture Bob Marshall leaning into the mic, cigarette dangling from his lips, laying down lyrics that sound like they came straight outta last night’s barstool confessions. What sticks with me is how unpolished it feels—like it wasn’t trying too hard to impress anyone. And honestly? That makes it unforgettable.
Then there’s “A Big Bite Of The Blues,” which kinda sums up the whole mood of the album in one track. This tune rolls along at a steady pace, dripping with soulful swagger. The harmonica wails like it’s got a story to tell (and trust me, it does). There’s something about the way the rhythm section locks in—it’s not flashy, but damn if it doesn’t make you wanna tap your foot or nod your head. I remember humming this one for days after hearing it, even though I couldn’t quite get the melody right. Ain’t that always how it goes?
This album might not be perfect—it’s rough around the edges, sure—but maybe that’s why it sticks. It doesn’t try to be anything other than what it is: a snapshot of a time when rock and blues were still figuring each other out. Listening to it now feels like eavesdropping on a conversation between old friends who don’t need fancy words to understand each other.
You know what’s wild, though? For an album called A Big Bite Of The Blues Aint No Big Thing, it kinda IS a big thing. Like, who names their record that and then delivers something so effortlessly real? Bob Marshall’s Crystals didn’t reinvent the wheel here—they just reminded us why we fell in love with these sounds in the first place. Now excuse me while I go find that imaginary diner again… I think they’ve got pie.
Bob Marshall's Crystals and Jerry Holland With The Cap-Tans - A Big Bite Of The Blues - DC 0433 - 4/62
http://www.uncamarvy.com/CapTans/captans.html