Plan B

Huey Lewis & the News

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 24, 2001)
• Original Release Date: May 1, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Jive
• ASIN: B00005MJY0
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #83,671 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Huey Lewis and the News may have taken 10 years off between albums, but after listening to the ironically titled Plan B, it's like the Little Bar Band That Could never really left. Disarming frontman Huey Lewis is still turning out the same affable, effortless, pasteurized pop that he did when the band dominated the charts in the '80s, and his crack band plays with precision. The only difference is that instead of pining for a new drug, regaling listeners with those wry little cultural snapshots like "Hip to Be Square," or complaining about "Working for a Living," this collection of 10 original tunes (and a cover of Nick Lowe's "When I Write the Book") is an examination of relationships. Not the redeeming "Power of Love" that Lewis extolled in 1982, but the self-conscious ebb and flow of a long romance as it unravels. Songs like the discouraging "Let Her Go and Start Over" and the quirky "My Other Woman" throw a dim light on ardor and attachment. Even the album's standout track, "I'm Not in Love Yet" (a duet with the wondrously gritty-voiced Wynonna Judd) finds both parties hedging their bets. But you shouldn't. This is a strong collection of songs that elevates the band from being just another '80s retread, and also proves that Plan A is still working fine. --Jaan Uhelszki

Product Description
No U.S. release date has been scheduled yet for Huey Lewis & The News' 2001 album Plan B, despite the fact that the hit 80s group is touring select venues in the States now through September, and VH1's recently completed Behind The Music special on the ba --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpectedly excellent !, May 23, 2004

By	Docteur J. - See all my reviews

I am an old fan of Huey Lewis. However I must confess I had almost forgotten him with the years. I recently rediscovered him watching again "Back to the future" with my young daughters (for them it was the first time and a shock !). Wanting to listen to Huey again (and to the News !) I bought Fore and Sports. My pleasure to hear them again was so great that after some hesitation I bought Plan B, finally convinced by the very good reviews written in Amazon. It was a right decision. After so much time the risk to have a kind of ersatz (only just efficient to recall you the good old time) was strong like it was often the case with many groups and singers. But not with Huey Lewis and the News ! The disc is excellent, full of joyful energy (I was always fascinated by the energy of Huey and his unique voice and this energy remains intact) and could have been, however, a little bit longer. It's almost incredible to make such good music - which sounds so "classical", so ageless - so many years after. Songs like "When I write the book", "Thank you # 19" or "Let her go and start over" (wonderful backing vocals) - but all the titles can be quoted - could have been written twenty years ago and, for me, it's a compliment. Last precision: my daughters (12 and 6) like Plan B as much as Fore or Sports. And I swear it, without any constraint !

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Huey and the boys still have it !, July 29, 2001

By	Patrick J. Rice (Hackensack, NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's been years since Huey Lewis and the News have released an album and the wait is worth it. There have been some changes in the band since the last release with the addition of the horn section (Marvin McFadden on trumpet, Ron Stallings on tenor sax, and Rob Sudduth on tenor & baritone sax) and John Pierce has replaced Mario "Dracula" Cippolina on bass. In addition, guitarist Chris Hayes is on the album, but is no longer on the tour, ably replaced by Stef Burns.

The album kicks off with a party song of We're Not Here For A Long Time (We're Here For A Good Time). The people hollering at the beginning remind me of the beginning of Bruce Springsteen's Sherry Darling. It's a fast mover with Sean Hopper's organ intro. It's pace is fast moving and the band is tight. My Other Woman is reminiscent of Bruce's Tenth Avenue Freezeout with the horns, but a slower pace. The main line in the song is "my other woman's got another man". I Ain't Perfect is extremely tight with a Steely Dan/Al Green feel. Hayes plays some good bluesy guitar and Pierce's bass playing is excellent. Next is a cover of Rockpile's When I Write The Book, back in 1980. This has a good arrangement and the sound is fresh. The momentum is very strong at the end of the song. I'm Not In Love Yet features a duet with Wynona and brings up memories of Huey's duet with Gwyneth Paltrow in Cruising Together. This definetely has a crossover of R & B/country and works well. Thank You #19 is once again played in tight fashion with Pierce's bass driving the tune. In addition, Hayes shines on the guitar. References are made in the song to Marvin Gaye and Sam & Dave. Very soulful tune and reminds me of Sly and the Family Stone.

The title tune, Plan B follows with a mixture of blues and jazz. The band sounds as if they're the band on Letterman. This song has a little bit of Donald Fagen's Ruby Baby and the song fades away with a sax solo. The Rhythm Ranch has a Little Feat/Bruce Hornsby feel and the song closes with a good harmonica solo by Huey. Let Her Go And Start Over reminds me of The Band's The Weight and once again features Huey on the harmonica. I Never Think About You is tight and is Southside Johnny-like. A nice organ solo by guest Jack Jacobsen is featured. Hayes tears away on the guitar at the end with the horn section behind him. A stronger version than the one on the Time Flies album, So Little Kindness is sharper and more energetic and is a good album closer.

It's good to see Huey Lewis and The News perform so well after all these years. They've been one of my favorite since the first album and saw them last Saturday night in Mahwah, NJ. Also, the contributions of keyboardist Sean Hopper, guitarist/sax player Johnny Colla, and drummer Billy Gibson are an asset to the band. In addition, they've given us great harmonies and continue to do so. When I mention the songs sounding like other songs, they are by no means copies because Huey Lewis and The News have their own sound. Keep up the good work and come back to Mahwah. Also, a great album cover with combo of election buttons and buttons of Huey and the News.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't dodge Huey because he's swingin', November 8, 2003

By	W. Woodall (fontana, ca USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you've heard that Huey is doin' the swing thing now, and have steared clear, well you better not. This group is as great or better than in their hit heyday. We saw them live, and were totally blown away!! One of the best shows ever!!! The record is just as good. This is a pure classic.