AMG Review of Teaser Deluxe

Greg Prato
All Music Guide

Similar to both volumes of Whips and Roses that were released in 2006, Teaser Deluxe is comprised of outtakes from the same sessions that gave way to Tommy Bolin's underrated yet classic 1975 solo effort, Teaser. Once more, producer Greg Hampton is the man behind the controls, and has again come up with a collection of vintage Bolin that simply kicks ass sonically. While the versions on the original Teaser will always be the definitive versions, the album has never been released in the U.S. on CD (only available as a high-priced/hard to find import). So certainly, Teaser Deluxe will come in handy. As with Whips and Roses, the renditions on Teaser Deluxe are a lot looser and freer than what wound up on Teaser, as heard on the renditions of "Homeward Strut," "Teaser," and "Marching Powder" included here. Plus, you'll find a pair of songs that are included as much longer, jammy versions than what was included on Teaser -- "Wild Dogs" and "Lotus" (which includes some great six-string work from Bolin). Also included are two different versions of a tune that was recorded during the Teaser sessions, but wasn't included -- a fiery instrumental titled "Crazed Fandango." Until a remastered version of the original Teaser album gets released (which, nearly 30 years after its original release, doesn't seem likely), Teaser Deluxe is certainly the next best thing.