Van Duren & Good Question – Cartwheeling: Live In Memphis
This impeccably recorded set was recorded live in Memphis in 1992. Though there is a ‘90s current that runs through the production it’s not retro to any degree. The pop-configuration sprouts from the melodic seedlings of the late Dwight Twilley, with legitimate big production dalliances with Billy Joel (“I’m Looking For a Wife” & “Her Name Comes Up”), Big Star variants & it all peels off in a cool dynamic.
Instantly likable Cartwheeling: Live In Memphis (Drops Dec 1–Omnivore/50:00) is good playing with no showboating detours. The songs have heft. Van Duren’s numbers have an inventory of clever mainstream-sharpened tunes instinctively driven.
The previously unissued music was produced by Memphis’ Van Duren (lead vocals/6 & 12 string electric guitars/acoustic guitar/piano) who had played with Big Star’s Chris Bell & Jody Stephens. The 14 articulate tunes should appeal to fans of Billy Joel, Twilley, Phil Seymour, Rick Springfield & yes, Paul McCartney. There isn’t any pablum, cereal, or sugar-coated confections in the showcase. It comes close, but the band has expertise from that Billy Joel-rocker era (“52nd Street” & “Glass Houses”).
I’m surprised no major label picked up this performance. Van Duren doesn’t sing every song like he’s another Billy Joel (don’t misinterpret my compliment). But he does occupy the same inspiring space with this album. With the accordion strains on “The Love That I Love,” it’s a bit Euro-balladry in a tradition similar to Adam Mitchell (“The French Waltz”).
Van Duren mixes up genres & that’s where the band unleashes their finest skillful music. The performance was captured for prosperity. With a little rearranging many tunes here could be reapplied to today’s stage.
The Van Duren band has a “big band” group approach to each performance while the other comparative artists (not Joel) are rather thin. That’s why these songs still levitate as good pop songs. One of the rockier ones is the title track “Cartwheeling.” It smokes. Not that everything hits the target but even on the weaker tunes the arrangements & enthusiasm — all admirable.
The cover of The Beatles’ “Got To Get You Into My Life” & Van Duren’s original “The Naked Eye of Love” are both McCartney good. Not a dull moment.
Highlights – “I’m Looking For a Wife,” “Her Name Comes Up,” “One More Real Kiss,” “The Love That I Love,” “Cartwheeling,” “Such a Secret,” “Got To Get You Into My Life,” & “The Naked Eye of Love.”
Musicians – James Lott (electric guitars/bgv), Ray Sanders (bass/fretless bass/bgv), Joel Williams (drums/bgv) & guest Rick Steff of Lucero (keyboards/accordion).
Image courtesy of Van Duren’s Bandcamp & archive. CD @ Amazon & https://vanduren.bandcamp.com/
