Bob "Slim" Dunlap epitomizes the journeyman musician who plays for the fun of it, when his day gig allows. However, even casual listeners know his name for one reason: landing the "hot seat" assignment of succeeding The Replacements' late, troubled guitarist Bob Stinson. But there's more to Dunlap's story than his experience with that legendarily star-crossed Minneapolis quartet might indicate.

Dunlap gained his first local attention by playing with eccentric singer-songwriter Curtiss A (Curt Almsted) in the late '70s. Starting with a 1978 EP by Almsted's punk rockish Spooks, he graced all but one of Almsted's Twin/Tone efforts (typified by quirky outbursts like his single, "I Don't Wanna Be President"). By then, Dunlap had a reputation as an intuitive, reliable musician who could fit any situation, a quality that attracted The Replacements' Paul Westerberg. Dunlap declined the vacancy when The Replacements let Stinson go in June 1986 -- but later reversed himself, citing his admiration for Paul Westerberg's songwriting as the main reason. Only a churlish zealot could pooh-pooh the benefits of having a schooled musician in such a reckless band, which grew tighter and more accomplished during the Pleased to Meet Me (1987) and Don't Tell a Soul (1989) eras. (However, Dunlap had little input on the former album, which had been largely completed before he joined.)

Dunlap's modest manner helped to ease the feelings of hardcore fans unmoved by the rationale given for Stinson's departure. Yet his talents found little outlet on the final The Replacements album, All Shook Down (1990) -- on which Paul Westerberg sidelined the band and enlisted session players to augment the album's stark, bare sound. The Replacements folded for good after a lengthy spring and summer tour in 1991.

After the breakup, Dunlap toured with former The Georgia Satellites loudmouth Dan Baird. He followed up with his long-overdue solo debut, The Old New Me (1993); to nobody's surprise, it showcased an inspired, rootsy sound and incisive songwriting that had not been expressed during the The Replacements era. His second album, Times Like This (1995), took the same charming, low-key route. He has been silent in the studio since, but he still plays around the Minneapolis area, and there is talk of a third album. ~ Ralph Heibutzki, Rovi