Customer Reviews

More Hits From Tin Can Alley

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

 

 

Got this album, when was it, '68? I even had the poster hanging on the closeline. No matter. Eric was part of the folk movement that spawned the likes of Dylan etc. He had wonderful, imaginative lyrics to go along with that wonderfully distinctive voice. Anyway, by '68, in order to survive past folk, he brought in electric guitars etc. to embellish his work. But I don't blame Eric. It's probably the handiwork of the Vanguard organization back then. But, what you need to know is, that for the most part, the songs are excellent. Songs of heartache, angst, and growing-up in Vietnam era America. That said, if anything suffers on this recording is that the arrangements are sometimes lacking. Whether Eric chose the musicians for this is highly doubtful. How does one accompany an artist who has only had his voice and guitar at his disposal?Sure, Dylan created his own band (and his own myth as well), but for someone who was just as creative and talented, Eric did not or could not follow that path. The songs are listenable and worth looking into. I have the l.p. It's a shame this is hard to get on c.d. Still, I believe that Eric is one of the most unique vocalists I've ever heard. Give him a try- also check out more of his music. Excellent!

Eric Andersen made some great folkrock. He's a great songwriter, has a great voice and here the arrangements are superb. Somehow, I expected more from the cd. The lp-version definitely sounds better, and I KNOW there must be enough material to include at least six bonus tracks. I'm afraid Vanguard doesn't take it's former artist very seriously. A pity, because this album certainly deserved a better treatment!

Through verse, this record manages a perfect synopsis of what many young people were feeling during the tumultous 1960s. I came across the orginal recording courtesy of my father, but also own the CD version.

It's Andersen's Blonde on Blonde, Sergeant Pepper, and Between the Buttons. It ranges from folk to pop to folk-rock to proto-metal, and there isn't a weak song on it. He didn't come close to this until Blue River. It's shameful that it's been allowed to go out of print.

This was the first album where I heard the great Amos Garrett. Check out his amazing licks in Honey and the groove he creates in Tin Can Alley Parts I and II. Amos went on to play incredible solos and back up with Geoff and Maria Muldaur on their duet and solo albums, Ian & Sylvia, Paul Butterfield, and Jesse Winchester. But this was a revelation when I heard it back in the 60s. Inspiring. Of course Eric Andersen is great too with a band or without one. In addition to this early Vanguard experiment with folk rock, Eric recorded a curious second-take slightly folk rockish version of his classic 'Bout Changes and Things.