Big Shot in the Dark is the fourth album from Timbuk 3, and their debut as a four-piece band. It was the first major release for Trinidad-Tobago native Courtney Audain who played bass and added steel drums to the group's instrumentation, and for drummer/percussionist Wally Ingram who later went on to record and tour with major artists Tracy Chapman, Sheryl Crow, and Bonnie Raitt. Timbuk3's previous three albums were recorded by the husband and wife team of Pat MacDonald and Barbara K. MacDonald alone.
Kenneth Bays of AllMusic says: "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.
God Made an Angel
Sunshine
Two Medicines (Barbara K. MacDonald)
Border Crossing (Barbara K. MacDonald)
Big Shot in the Dark
Mudflap Girl
Dis•••land (Was Made for You & Me)
Wake Up Little Darlin'
'49 Plymouth
The Little Things
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
