Post by Ken on Jan 15, 2004 3:03:08 GMT -5
Andrea asked me if I would review today's pick and I'm very happy to do it 
The Smithereens - Especially For You
Released - 1986
Label - Enigma - distributed by Capitol
Produced By - Don Dixon
Chart Position - #51
Singles Released - Blood and Roses - #14 - 1986
Behind The Wall of Sleep - #23 - 1987
Among the Guest musicians appearing on the album included Suzanne Vega who sings background Vocals on In a Lonely Place.
I really wish I would have known about the guys back in '86. But like I've mentioned before it wasn't until the album 11 that I would discover them. I picked up my copy of the CD somewhere around '90 / '91 . This was the band's first full length album. They had recorded two E.P.'s before this - Girls About Town in 1982 and Beauty and Sadness in 1983.
Strangers When We Meet - A very melancholy tune lyric wise about a girl who chooses "the other guy" . The tune however is very upbeat.
Listen To Me Girl - Another tune about heartbreak and uncertainty - some great harmonica opens the song.
Groovy Tuesday - This is among their best album tracks ever! - Love the backing vocals . Mike lays down some fine bass playing.
Cigarette - A very moody tune - all based around smoking well a cigarette ! but it has a great atmosphere to it . Kenny Margolis plays accordion.
I Don't Want To Lose You - Another big fave that sounds like it could have been recorded in 1966 this is essential listening.
Time and Time Again - Drummer Dennis Diken counts it in and the band is off and running. The song opens with one of my all time favorite guitar riffs to my ears it's kind of a cross between Oh Pretty Woman and Day Tripper. This songs simply rocks for 3 minutes - more essential listening
Behind The Wall of Sleep - This is such a killer tune! - love the 60's references to British model Jeanie Shrimpton and Rolling Stone Billy Wyman.
BTW - Jeanie's sister Chrissie dated Mick Jagger in the early 60's.
In a Lonely Place - This has a nice Jazz feel to it . As I mentioned Suzanne Vega sings the background harmony. Some wonderful acoustic guitar and vibraphone are also heard. Very tasteful drumming from Dennis.
Blood and Roses - A song that singer Pat Dinizio had written, about a High School friend that had passed away. The tune has a real driving rhythm to it. The song was used in the film released at the time called Dangerously Close. There are two different edits of the video that was made - one includes scenes of the movie together with footage of the band playing in a High School hallway - the other just features the performance footage.
Crazy Mixed Up Kid - Love it! complete with some fine guitar pickin'.
Hand of Glory - This has a hint of Merseybeat to it . Awesome track.
Alone At Midnight - Full of very cool minor chords. The guys do these mid tempo type of songs so well.
White Castle Blues - This is a bonus track that was included only on the CD version of the album . All about the joys of eating way to much at White Castle - LOL .Superb song!
The Smithereens - Especially For You
Released - 1986
Label - Enigma - distributed by Capitol
Produced By - Don Dixon
Chart Position - #51
Singles Released - Blood and Roses - #14 - 1986
Behind The Wall of Sleep - #23 - 1987
Among the Guest musicians appearing on the album included Suzanne Vega who sings background Vocals on In a Lonely Place.
I really wish I would have known about the guys back in '86. But like I've mentioned before it wasn't until the album 11 that I would discover them. I picked up my copy of the CD somewhere around '90 / '91 . This was the band's first full length album. They had recorded two E.P.'s before this - Girls About Town in 1982 and Beauty and Sadness in 1983.
Strangers When We Meet - A very melancholy tune lyric wise about a girl who chooses "the other guy" . The tune however is very upbeat.
Listen To Me Girl - Another tune about heartbreak and uncertainty - some great harmonica opens the song.
Groovy Tuesday - This is among their best album tracks ever! - Love the backing vocals . Mike lays down some fine bass playing.
Cigarette - A very moody tune - all based around smoking well a cigarette ! but it has a great atmosphere to it . Kenny Margolis plays accordion.
I Don't Want To Lose You - Another big fave that sounds like it could have been recorded in 1966
this is essential listening.Time and Time Again - Drummer Dennis Diken counts it in and the band is off and running. The song opens with one of my all time favorite guitar riffs to my ears it's kind of a cross between Oh Pretty Woman and Day Tripper. This songs simply rocks for 3 minutes - more essential listening
Behind The Wall of Sleep - This is such a killer tune! - love the 60's references to British model Jeanie Shrimpton and Rolling Stone Billy Wyman.
BTW - Jeanie's sister Chrissie dated Mick Jagger in the early 60's.
In a Lonely Place - This has a nice Jazz feel to it . As I mentioned Suzanne Vega sings the background harmony. Some wonderful acoustic guitar and vibraphone are also heard. Very tasteful drumming from Dennis.
Blood and Roses - A song that singer Pat Dinizio had written, about a High School friend that had passed away. The tune has a real driving rhythm to it. The song was used in the film released at the time called Dangerously Close. There are two different edits of the video that was made - one includes scenes of the movie together with footage of the band playing in a High School hallway - the other just features the performance footage.
Crazy Mixed Up Kid - Love it! complete with some fine guitar pickin'.
Hand of Glory - This has a hint of Merseybeat to it . Awesome track.
Alone At Midnight - Full of very cool minor chords. The guys do these mid tempo type of songs so well.
White Castle Blues - This is a bonus track that was included only on the CD version of the album . All about the joys of eating way to much at White Castle - LOL .Superb song!
