JD Souther – You’re Only Lonely
This veteran singer is a Detroit, Michigan guitarist/songwriter who always flew under the radar. He appeared as a backup singer or co-writer of songs on many major artist’s LPs through the years. He was present in 1988 at the Roy Orbison & Friends classic Black & White Night live performance.
JD’s written hits for Linda Ronstadt, the Eagles, Glenn Frey & James Taylor among others. He was a member of the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band with Chris Hillman (The Byrds) & Richie Furay (Poco). He lent his voice to Glenn Frey, Christopher Cross, Dan Fogelberg & Clannad.
For those unfamiliar with JD — revisiting his early work especially if there’s an appreciation of music by Jackson Browne, the late Andrew Gold, the Eagles & many of the artists already cited then his 3rd & most successful 1979 Columbia album You’re Only Lonely (Drops July 26/Omnivore/Sony Music/46:00) will be an enjoyable discovery.
The LP was produced by JD Souther with guest producers Waddy Wachtel, Don Henley, Glenn Frey & Jackson Browne. The material was recorded at Warner Brothers Recording Studio in North Hollywood. The reissue was produced by JD with Cheryl Pawelski.
For purists, the title track is reminiscent of Roy Orbison’s musical style without the more operatic range of Roy. But with “If You Don’t Want My Love,” Souther steps into a landscape similar to the late melodically savvy Emitt Rhodes. Despite Detroit roots JD had a strong Laurel Canyon-California feel to his music — lite on performance theatrics but rich in melody & lyrics. Not wholly folk-oriented JD leans into a mature adult contemporary structure with stellar support.
I felt personally that JD was underrated since many of his contemporaries who worked the same side of the street found fame & lucrative deals. He had songs. That’s proven. And surprisingly, he could rock out with muscle as he does on both “Til The Bars Burn Down” & “Fifteen Bucks.”
With “The Moon Just Turned Blue,” JD cruises into a Gram Parsons territory brilliantly then “Trouble In Paradise” leans heavily into an upbeat Andrew Gold pulsation. JD is a diversified articulate performer. Still is.
Highlights – “You’re Only Lonely,” “If You Don’t Want My Love,” “White Rhythm & Blues,” “Til The Bars Burn Down,” “The Moon Just Turned Blue,” “Fifteen Bucks,” “Trouble In Paradise” with “Ever Faithful Woman” & “Bad News Travels Fast.” (2 bonus cuts).
Musicians – JD Souther & Waddy Wachtel (guitars), Don Grolnick (piano), Kenny Edwards (bass), Rick Marotta (drums) with Danny Kortchmar (guitar), Dan Dugmore (guitar/steel guitar), David Sanborn (sax) & harmony: JD Waddy, Jorge Calderon, Phil Everly, Kenny Edwards, Peter Asher, Hayden Gregg, Glenn Frey, Don Henley & Jackson Browne.
Cameos: Jai Winding (organ), Mike Botts (drums), Don Felder (rhythm guitar), Fred Tackett (acoustic guitar), John Sebastian (harp) & Tom Scott (tenor sax).
A 16pp stitched liner note color insert included. B&W image courtesy of SoundBard.
CD @ Amazon & https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/youre-only-lonely/ & https://www.jdsouther.net/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: J.D. Souther’s Night of Stories and Song At The Barns at Wolf Trap and also here: New Book “Up Ahead In The Distance” Is History of Eagles As It Happened