Note: the CD I listened to was the 2004 reissue.
A fantastic album that would have been #1 for a lot longer if Chicago hadn't released a greatest hits album around the same time. Shoulda coulda woulda. Produced by hitmaker Phil Ramone, this stellar collection of quiet soft rock tracks contains contributions from some great musicians, i.e. Michael Brecker, David Sanborn, Phil Woods, Steve Gadd, Ralph MacDonald, Tony Levin, Joe Beck, Bob James, Phoebe Snow, Toots Thielmans etc. These musicians, playing electronic piano-drenched arrangements, give almost all the songs a beautiful, peaceful, jazzy vibe (the only exception is Gone At Last, which is an attempt at a gospel sound that almost works). Good songs, good production, great performances. For the prize of "Mark's favorite Paul Simon album," it's a coin flip between this album and Graceland (which has the honor of being the first CD featured on this blog all these years ago).
Press of the time:
- Billboard: "a collection of exceptionally pretty and melodic songs"
- CashBox: "You'll understand this album. What more can be said"
- Rolling Stone: "more slick professionalism than is good for his subject matter"
- Record World: "a collection of carefully crafted songs suggesting uneasiness of love and maturity"
- Stereo Review: "just terrible, a totally uninspired rehash of lyric and melody"
- Robert Christgau: B
Peak on Cash Box album chart: #2
Tracks: Of the original 10 tracks, don't skip any. My faves are the title track, My Little Town, 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, and Have A Good Time. The bonus tracks are demos which add nothing to the album; no need to rip those to iTunes.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I was 9 years old when this released, so the memories from this album come from listening to the 4 singles on AM Top 40 radio.
Previously revisited for the blog:
So Beautiful or So What (2011)
Negotiations and Love Songs 1971-1986 (1988)
Rhythm of the Saints (1990)
Graceland (1986)
The Concert in Central Park (1982)
No comments:
Post a Comment