Customer Reviews

Fool Around

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i thought when i saw her on early comedy central, i'd see her forever... and then poof!
a lost treasure. willy deville mixed with brenda lee. had some comps, but this has "truckstop queen"=whowah! nobody has dared to cover this unsung (no pun intended) classic. and "tourist boys". both i've waited for these agonizing 30 long years. "it's so different here" is another amazing unawakened classic that's been previously issued... but there's more, much, much more. where are you rachel when we need you?

She wasn't yet old enough to drive but she delivered the goods on this, her debut album. From juke joint ballads to new wave oddities, producer Liam Sternberg provided finely crafted productions to bring out the best that the fifteen year old could offer. Re-workings of Carla Thomas' "B-A-B-Y" and Del Shannon's "I Go To Pieces" are updated beautifully and originals like the chatty "Who Does Lisa Like" and enigmatic "It's So Different Here" are great lost pop records. "Wildwood Saloon" is wonderful truckstop country with a hard edge while the cover of Elvis Costello's "Stranger In The House" is the album's one mis-fire, the singer being simply too young to be convincing. "Cuckoo Clock" and "Girl With a Synthesizer" did not age well but were perfect for the tale end of the seventies. All in all, a great jewel in the odd little crown that was Stiff Records.

The 2006 re-issue sounds better than the 90's era Rhino edition but the latter's inclusion of tracks from "Protect The Innocent", the delightful theme from "Hairspray", and the ghastly Rex Smith duet, "Everlasting Love", keep it essential for Rachel Sweet collectors. This new re-issue includes the otherwise unavailable on cd "Truckstop Queen" and "Tourist Boys".

Now, when will "Protect The Innocent" get the same respectful digital treatment?