Gerry Beckley β Keeping The Light On β 2 CDs
With a handsome 44pp perfect-bound insert this 2-CD retrospect from the solo career of the illustrious singer/songwriter & co-founder of the band America Gerry Beckley documents 20-songs on Keeping The Light Onβ The Best of Gerry Beckley (Blue Elan Records-Drops March 26).
The songs culled from solo LPs from his 1st in β95 through 2020βs βFive Mile Roadβ contain interesting chestnuts like βWatching the Time,β that features the Beach Boysβ late Carl Wilson vocals & Van Dyke Parks (accordion). The song was written by Gerry with Chicagoβs Robert Lamm & Wilson is a lost treasure. On bass Jason Scheff from the band Chicago (also the son of Elvis Presleyβs bassist Jerry Scheff who also played with The Doors).
While many songs are not earth-shaking each has something of value to offer that falls out of the realm of the band America. βCalling You,β is a well-sung haunting atmospheric ballad with fervent playing.
Beckleyβs not an artist whose music is mediocre. Thereβs substance. The majority are well-arranged & many are pleasurable. βGoodbye Highwayβ has an Al Jardine Beach Boy quality. A fine melody with expressive percussion/piano delicately balanced & couldβve been appropriate for America. Beckley plays all instruments though an uncredited lead guitar isnβt listed.
There are unreleased songs & a variety of musicians who contribute to tracks. Nick Lane adds trombone to the lovely βAlways,β from Beckleyβs solo LP βUnfortunate Casino (2011).
CD 2 starts with a 2019 song βHang Your Head High,β thatβs rousing, with a wholly different Gerry vocal solidly reminiscent of the English band Stackridge vocals (once produced by George Martin) of Andy Davis & James Warren (βBoots & Shoesβ βNorth St. Grandeβ). And thatβs good. This is a little dynamic piece produced by Gerry (all instruments & vocals). More like this.
Gerry continued with an unreleased masterpiece βIβm Your Heart Slave,β in that Stackridge tradition — with Jeff Larsonβs additional vocal. Beckley plays all instruments again & the accordion — a nice touch. Something the late Gerry Rafferty wouldβve done. Wonderful music, absolutely wonderful.
The 2nd CD is strong & Gerry doesnβt replicate Americaβs sound; he has found his niche. His diversification is sharp. Not entirely edgy but he doesnβt have that kind of voice. However, as displayed on βCup of Rain,β a densely woven little ballad beautifully rendered.
The unreleased β98 βHow Can I Turn You Away,β with its wildly weeping lead guitar (Hank Linderman) & chiming backup guitars has a typical Eagles touch applied imaginatively. Don Henley, are you listening?
Closing the 2 CDs is βHome Again,β (originally from βFive Mile Road)β & the title cut with its sharp acoustic guitars are full-band pieces well-arranged & showcased. Individual producers & musicians are listed on each page of the insert. This is an enthusiastic collection, & well-packaged.
The 1st CD @ 32-minutes/CD #2 @ 38-minutes. Available @ https://www.gerrybeckley.com/