Customer Reviews

A Different Kind Of Love Song

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

 

 

This fine album from 1983 showcases Dick Gaughan's songwriting and political conscience, as well as some fine writing by others. A little more 'electric' than his earlier releases, the sound and arrangements should come as no surprise to those familiar with his fine, earlier work with the band Five Hand Reel (O that their work was available today on cd...!!!).

Every song on this cd is a strong one -- and this release, thanks to the good folks at Appleseed, contains two bonus tracks, including Leon Rosselson's wonderful tribute to the Diggers, 'World turned upside-down'. Also present here is another Rosselson classic, 'Stand up for Judas'. The title track sums up Gaughan's philosophy of song very nicely -- entertainment is all well and good, but these are songs to shake the listener's mind and soul, to make them think about their world and what they can do to make it a better place. The pairing of 'Prisoner 562'/'Song of choice' drives home the lesson of the evil that mankind is capable of, both by acting directly and by standing idly by, choosing to do nothing in its face. 'The father's song' is one of the most poignant expressions of a parent's wish for a better world for his child that I have ever heard. 'Think again' holds the stupidity of the cold war mentality up in society's face. And only Dick Gaughan could take Joe South's 60s anthem 'Games people play' and make it meaningful for the present-day listener.

This album can entertain, but it can also make you angry enough to ask yourself, 'What can I do...?'

Contrary to the prior reviewer, who dismisses a social conscience as trite, the messages on this CD is what we need hear in our times of self absorption, self indulgence, worship of the (once) almighty dollar, and our collective inability to see beyond the benefits of short term profiteering.

If we took heed of the messages on this CD, perhaps our country would not be in the mess it is now. We would not have the Anti Christ as President (George Bush), our jobs would not be moving overseas, our houses would not be under foreclosure, and we would not be the skunks of the world

Dick Gaughan is a wonderful singer. I bought this after hearing his Song for Ireland on a sampler. What an amazing voice! But these songs are so lame, so chock-full of mis-guided and pompous sensitivity, that listening to that voice mouthing these words is a classic case of cognitive dissonance. Games People Play works brilliantly...an astonishing performace that is worth one of these stars all by itself.

But Stand Up for Judas, in a world where religions are killing right now for religion, sounds breathtakingly silly (I admit, I'm a Christain, but turning your pal into the hated authorites to get him to act is hard to comprehend under any circumstances). And calling Reagan a broken-down actor is just dumb. People still wish Carter had won that election--geez, even I voted for him--but Carter and his thought were bad for this country.

Those who prefer a Socialist state are free to have them, but the voters who are voting with their feet are choosing America in overwhelming numbers. Dick Gaughan doesn't get it. And he seems angry that anyone would choose something so obviously decadent and foul.