Dave Edmunds – Swan Songs – The Singles 1976-1981 – 2 CD
My introduction to Dave Edmunds was from a 1970 single of Smiley Lewis’s old rocker “I Hear You Knockin’,” which was superb on A.M. radio & in Dave’s voice. But that cover isn’t represented in this collection – it wasn’t on Swan Records — but that’s alright. What followed a few years later was a group of fascinating rockabilly-oriented rockers & standard tunes that Dave (vocals/guitars/keys/piano/bass/percussion) provided with skill & excellent arrangements – rock n’ roll style.
Now this was the 70s when punk & new wave music were making their marks but people like Nick Lowe, the Rumor, Rockpile, Love Sculpture, Brinsley Schwartz, Graham Parker & a host of pub rocking artists scoring with dynamically produced catchy tunes based on the 50s genre but dressed up in new threads.
There are plenty of nostalgic universal melodies in these A & B-side tunes on the double CD Swan Songs – The Singles 1976-1981 (Drops Sept 27/Omnivore/President Recordings) where Edmunds goes from rockabilly to the Everly Brothers with a Del Shannon type guitar (“Here Comes the Weekend”) into a Beach Boys cruise (“New York Is a Lonely Town”) & straight-ahead vintage rock n’ roll (“Juju Man”). What’s delightful is the spirit in which it was made. It’s a fun listen, harmless & invigorating. It never sounds novelty-oriented but authentically weaved.
Produced by Dave Edmunds — there are 16 tracks on CD 1 (42:32) & 13 on CD 2 (40:59). With “Deborah” a tune that drives with a Buddy Holly rolling beat & chiming guitars. Dave’s voice is thin on this, but it makes the juvenile charm rise to the top. But by “Television” Edmunds finds his perfectly intonated rock voice. The Welshman Dave Edmunds became the missing link between the late Eddie Cochran & Johnny Burnette’s Rock n’ Roll Trio.
With “It’s My Own Business” Dave goes nuclear Fats Dominio as the musicians splash around in the hard waters of these notes & it’s as exciting today as it was back then.
I always thought Linda Ronstadt’s cover of Elvis Costello’s “Girls Talk” out-rocked Dave’s but not Dave’s vocals — the production. Linda’s production had clarity on her pipes & the instrumental muscle & sonics necessary for such a rocker. I know Elvis Costello didn’t like Linda’s but…well, her performance got my ass moving.
“The Race Is On,” was a great cover by Dave after 2 chart hits — an original version by country singer George Jones & a pop cover by crooner Jack Jones. Jones had a good rock voice (“I’m Indestructible”) but seldom used it.
Aside from some country covers Dave on the final cut (“I’m Gonna Start) Living Again If It Kills Me” hints at how good he could be a country singer. Dave & Nick Lowe co-wrote this with country singer Carlene Carter (the former Mrs. Lowe).
Dave Edmunds will never go out of style. He proves just how international early rock n’ roll is.
Highlights – CD 1 – “Here Comes the Weekend,” “New York Is a Lonely Place,” “Juju Man,” “What Did I Do Last Night,” “I Knew the Bride,” Bob Segar’s “Get Out of Denver,” “Deborah,” “Television” & “Trouble Boys.” CD 2: “A-1 On the Jukebox,” “It’s My Own Business,” “Bad Is Bad,” “The Creature From the Black Lagoon,” “Crawling From the Wreckage,” “Singing The Blues,” “Boys Talk,” “You’ll Never Get Me Up (In One of Those),” “The Race Is On” & (“I’m Gonna Start) Living Again If It Kills Me.”
Musicians – CD 1: Bob Andrews (keys), Nick Lowe & Paul Riley (bass), Terry Williams, Billy Rankin & Steve Goulding (drums/percussion), Billy Bremer (guitar), Gerry Hogan (pedal steel guitar), Pete Kelly (piano). CD 2: All from previous CD + Roger Bechirian (piano), Huey Lewis (harmonica on his “Bad Is Bad”) & The Stray Cats (“The Race Is On”): Brian Setzer (guitar/vocals), Lee Rocker (bass) & Slim Jim Phantom (drums).
There’s a 12 pp stitched liner note insert included. Color image courtesy of Simon J. Newbury Photography. CD @ Amazon & https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/swan-songs/
