Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man

Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man is the first full-length album by Marietta, Georgia, band Guadalcanal Diary.[2] The album was released in 1984 and was produced by Don Dixon. It was reissued on CD by Rhino Handmade in 2003, with additional tracks from the Watusi Rodeo EP, the B-side "Johnny B. Goode," and the previously unreleased track "Just an Excuse."[6]

Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man
Studio album by
Released1984
RecordedSeptember 1984
Axis Studios, Atlanta, GA
GenreAlternative rock, jangle pop
Length31:16
LabelElektra[1]
ProducerDon Dixon[2]
Guadalcanal Diary chronology
Watusi Rodeo EP
(1983)
Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man
(1984)
Jamboree
(1986)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[4]
Tiny Mix Tapes[5]

Critical reception edit

Trouser Press wrote that the album "presents rocking explorations of several of [singer Murray] Attaway’s pet themes: religious fanaticism ('Why Do the Heathen Rage?'), Civil War mythology ('Trail of Tears') and spontaneous human combustion ('Fire from Heaven')."[7] The Sun Sentinel called it "solid, melodic rock 'n' roll," writing that "thundering drums and tough-talking guitars frame lyrics that condemn war and imperialism."[8]

Track listing edit

  1. "Trail of Tears" - 2:24
  2. "Fire From Heaven" - 3:52
  3. "Sleepers Awake" - 3:10
  4. "Gilbert Takes the Wheel" (instrumental) - 2:32
  5. "Ghost on the Road" - 2:47
  6. "Watusi Rodeo" - 2:36
  7. "Why do the Heathen Rage?" - 3:04
  8. "Pillow Talk" - 1:57
  9. "Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man (Part 1)" (instrumental) - 4:34
  10. "Kum-Ba-Yah (live)" - 3:40

Bonus Tracks on Limited Edition edit

  1. "Johnny B. Goode" - 3:45
  2. "Michael Rockefeller" - 4:55
  3. "Liwa Wechi" - 2:51
  4. "John Wayne" - 3:11
  5. "Dead Eyes" - 3:19
  6. "Just an Excuse" - 2:53

References edit

  1. ^ Rouner, Jef (May 31, 2010). "Give Me No Man's Land: 5 Songs For The Fallen". Houston Press.
  2. ^ a b "Guadalcanal Diary | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  3. ^ AllMusic review
  4. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 4. MUZE. p. 29.
  5. ^ "Music Review: Guadalcanal Diary - Walking In the Shadow of the Big Man". Tiny Mix Tapes.
  6. ^ "Guadalcanal Diary - Walking In The Shadow Of The Big Man | Rhino". www.rhino.com.
  7. ^ "Guadalcanal Diary". Trouser Press. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  8. ^ writer, Scott Benarde, Staff. "A POP/ROCK PLAYLIST:BREAKING THE FORMAT". Sun-Sentinel.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)