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| From | Jonathan Rundman <rundman@msn.com> |
| Subject | More Hooters comments |
| Date | Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:36:49 -0600 |
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I'm a bit behind on this thread, but I had to weigh in...
I've totally enjoyed the Hooters discussion that's been going on here
lately. They're one of my all-time favorite bands, and I still remember how
my 14-year-old mind was blown when I first heard that opening mandolin and
melodica intro on "And We Danced." I was a very culturally-detached 9th
Grader, and had never heard instruments like that on Top 40 radio before...I
thought it was amazingly cool. One of my biggest regrets as a music fan is
that I've never seen them in concert.
THE AMORE RE-ISSUE
I got this a year or so ago, and I'm thrilled to have it on CD. I had the
cassette since the late-80s, but it was getting shredded. I agree that they
had some great tunes on this early release, especially "Amore," "Birdman,"
"Concubine," and the killer "Fighting on the Same Side." Their bassist on
this album is Rob Miller, and I've always wondered if it's the same guy who
plays bass on the P. Hux "Deluxe" album...anybody know?
NERVOUS NIGHT
It's been interesting to see how many of you Philly locals were disappointed
in the production on this album (after loving Amore). I think Chertoff did a
nice job on their first couple Columbia albums, and I like the "All You
Zombies" and "Hanging on a Heartbeat" much better here than on Amore.
ONE WAY HOME
This album shows how amazingly talented Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman are as
instrumentalists. The guitar solos and Hammond organ stuff on this album are
great. But I agree with somebody on the list who said that the new version
of "Fighting on the Same Side" is terrible! What were they thinking?
ANDY KING
Somebody on the list mentioned that they know Andy, who played bass for the
Hooters on their first couple Columbia albums. I really hope Andy is still
making music out there somewhere. His early-90s solo album "Spiritual
Pre-School" is a very interesting album with some excellent songs and
musicianship. He has an amazing voice (featured on the Hooters cover version
of "Lucy in the Sky..."), plays almost all the instruments on his solo
album, and writes some fantastic moody pop songs. His solo album is hard to
describe...maybe like Kevin Gilbert meets Neil Finn or something?
ZIG ZAG
Probably my least fave Hooters album, but still good. Back in the early-90s
some cassette-singles were released from this album, with non-album-track
B-sides, including an amazingly rocking song called "A Man Understands,"
sung by their new bassist Fran Smith, Jr. (who used to play bar bands with
Glen Burtnik, I think).
OUT OF BODY
The last official Hooters album...and I think they did well by working with
producer Joe Hardy (who recorded Steve Earle and other more rootsy bands). I
thought it was interesting how Bazilian recycled the verse melody from their
old old song "Hanging on a Heartbeat" and re-used it on the song "Shadow of
Jesus" found on this album.
RANDOM STUFF
I noticed in the liner notes of Joan Osborne's "Relish" album that the
Hooter's keyboardist Rob Hyman is playing DRUMS on the super-hit "One Of Us"
which is of course written by Eric Bazilian. I think that's so cool that Rob
is drumming on that song....
By the way, that Joan Osborne album is another excellent example of killer
playing by Hyman and Bazilian. Amazing Wurlitzer piano especially, plus
other cool sonic treasures.
Anyway...there are some Hooters comments. Interested folks should also check
out the Rob Hyman-organized side project called LARGO and the two excellent
Eric Bazilian solo albums found at http://www.ericbazilian.com
The Hooters are a great band.
Jonathan Rundman
http://www.jonathanrundman.com
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