Customer Reviews

Cake Or Death

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For those who don't already know, Cake or Death is Lee Hazlewood's long-promised and long-awaited career finale. On first listen, I had mixed feelings about it but subsequent listens brought me around to embracing it whole-heartedly as an album worthy of a singer/songwriter of Hazlewood's stature. It has all the elements of an enduring Hazlewood classic that nods to his past and looks to his future while remaining rooted in the present.
I like the whole CD with the exception of the snippet of Some Velvet Morning performed by his granddaughter which is cute, but out of place. But I suppose Lee's fans can forgive him a little self-indulgence after the years of listening pleasure he has given us.
Among my favorites are Nothing, with its touch of wry Hazlewood humor; the accordion-driven Sacrifice; the ominous sounding surf-rock of The First Song of the Day; the patriotic Anthem; the humorous White People Thing; and Lee's bittersweet acceptance of his looming mortality in T.O.M.
However, the best cut on the CD is a splendid rearrangement of the famous Boots. That is so well done with its jazzy horns and Duane Eddy's guitar that its hard to keep from hitting the replay button over and over. As much as I like Lee's original recording of Boots and the subsequent rendition by Nancy Sinatra, it is this arrangement that is the best. Thanks, Lee!
As all good things must come to an end, it is with sadness that Hazlewood's fans must accept that Cake or Death is likely the last we will hear musically from him. I bought this at a favorite West Coast CD shop where it was flying off the shelves and I urge all who read this to get one for themselves. Not because its Hazlewood's last, but because its one of his best.

I really like a lot of the tracks on this record but a handful won't survive the journey from my computer to my IPod. When I first heard about his granddaughter (Phaedra) singing "Some Velvet Morning" I loved the idea... I was dead wrong. It's the stuff hidden bonus tracks are made of; but on an album that's only 13 tracks as it is I'm really disappointed to hear it on the record. It sounds like she sang it through the phone and he recorded it at the other end on a boombox. The song, "White People Thing" feels a little too much like a Jeff Foxworthy joke to me. My other omitted track would be "She's Gonna Break Some Heart Tonight" sung by Tommy Parsons... it's not that bad of a track but I paid to here Lee Hazlewood sing not Tommy Parsons. Now that I got all that off my chest I should say that everything else on this record is really strong and well worth the money even if you're only listening to 10 of the 13 tracks like I will.

Well here it is, Lee Hazlewood's long-anticipated musical adieu. I already own the US issue of Cake or Death but I generally like to get the "Special Edition" or the imported version which usually has a little something extra for the fan. But in this case, there is no difference that justifies the added expense, especially the 26 dollars which is the current lowest price. The main difference is that the German release comes sans plastic jewel box. I got mine here from an amazon partner for just three dollars over the price of the domestic release, so I don't feel bad. I'll just give the other as a gift to someone who needs to be introduced to the music of Lee Hazlewood.
As for the music, I like Cake or Death more everytime I hear it. In my review of the US release I mentioned my favorite cuts. That list has since been expanded. I still think Hazlewood's retooled version of "Boots" is highlight of the CD, it certainly has become far and away my favorite version. But that is certainly not all there is. I also highly enjoy the accordion-laced Sacrifice, the ominous-sounding, surf-guitar driven The First Song of the Day, the dry Its Nothing To Me, the star-spangled Anthem, the hilarious White People Thing, and the bittersweet anticipation of Lee's pending date with mortality in T.O.M.
While those are my favorites, I enjoy the other songs as well with the exception of the overly cute rendition of the refrain from Some Velvet Morning sung by Hazlewood's granddaughter.
If you are a fan of Lee Hazlewood on any level, I recommend you buy the US release of Cake or Death. Lee's last stand will spend a lot of time in my CD player. Don't buy this just because its his last, but because its one of his best.

This is the last album by the late Lee Hazlewood. It is a very eclectic album, with lots of different types of songs. Lee's voice was not at full strength at this point, but it doesn't matter; his weathered voice is totally appropriate for this album. There are five guest vocalists helping out on the album, including Lee's very young granddaughter. The songs highlight Lee brilliant production skills, as well as his eccentricities. Lee's own records were never as commercial as the ones he produced for Nancy Sinatra, but they are very charming in their own way. This is the perfect final album for an often under appreciated artist.

One thing that strikes me about this album is that how fresh and interesting it is. Granted, I'm a major Lee Hazlewood fan, so I knew I would like it. As all of us know, Lee had cancer and pretty much knew this was his last album. Instead of a perfunctory album or a quiet album, he made an album that is really experimental, tuneful, and can stand right along any of his other classic albums. This is not the work of an "old man" but of a vibrant artist who knew he was dying but wasn't going to slag off into that good night. There are some great Hazlewood tracks here, like the funny, sly Nothing, the excellent and well arranged Baghdad Knights (the flute in this song is perfect), Sacrifice (my favorite off the album), and an excellent rendition of Boots. Lee's voice is very strong, showing no signs of wear and tear. There really isn't anything that is awful here. Even the title is awesome (borrowed, legally, from our good friend Eddie Izzard). This is a great Hazlewood album. I'm sad he's gone, but he didn't go quietly. He was still as creative as ever.

This is a great album. I really enjoy Lee's sense of humor, this guy has a way to write some catchy numbers. "Nothing" is an excellent song. This album grows on you pretty fast.

Yup, Lee's gone. He died in August of 2007. I know I will miss him. I was a fan when he worked with Nancy back in the 60s, and I happily re-discovered him back in 1999 when he released his collection of jazz standards with the Al Casey Combo, a CD called Farmisht, Flatulence, Origami, ARF!!! and me ... A long title for a superb record. I have played and replayed it nearly to death in the past several years. So I was excited to learn there was a new CD, but about the same time I learned of Lee's passing, which kinda muted the pleasure. But Cake or Death is an outstanding good-bye collection, I'll say that. A very eclectic mix with an international cast His duet tracks with Lula and Ann Kristin Hedmark are nearly perfect, especially the latter pairing on "Please Come to Boston." It brought briefly to mind the LP he did so long ago with Ann-Margret, The Cowboy & the Lady. And the final cut, The Old Man, will bring tears to your eyes if you have a soul and you loved Lee. Thanks for the good times and all the tunes, Lee. Godspeed. - Tim Bazzett, author of the Cold War memoir, SoldierBoy (RatholeBooks 2005)

I was going to write a review for 'Cake or Death', but it seems J. Millar in New York has already expressed my exact opinion regarding this record. Do away with "She's Gonna Break Some Heart Tonight", "White People Thing" and "Some Velvet Morning", and you've got a damn fine way to end an incredible music career.