Customer Reviews

Steve Goodman

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first went looking for the LP after I saw Arlo Guthrie perform the "sit down" version (as he called it) of City of New orleans. He recommended the author's recording as the "Stand up" version. This LP was my introduction to Steve Goodman. The music covers two standards written by Goodman, an up-beat version "City of New Orleans" and a re-written, "perfected", satrical version of David Allen Coe's country hit "You never Even Call Me by My Name."

The music ranges from warm and touching (Would You Like to learn to Dance, Yellow Coat, Would You Like to Learn to Dance, Jazzman) to witty (Eight-Ball Blues, The I Don't Know Where I'm Goin', But I'm Goin' Nowhere In A Hurry Blues, Election year rag, Turnpike Tom).

Not every song is a Goodman original, but the arrangements show a broad range of Goodman's musical and interpretive ability.

After over 20 years, the music wears as comfortably as as old coat but still seems fresh and vibrant. The CD captures the energy of the original LP.

Like the other reviewer, I bought this album after hearing Arlo's version of "City of New Orleans." For starters, let me say that this version is far better, and every song (even the bonus tracks) are as perfect as "City" is. Steve Goodman's charm and humor are evident in every song (even the most serious ones, and there are several somber and even melancholy songs here). The covers of other people's songs are just as revolutionary: doo-wop ("So Fine") and trad country ("Mind Your Own Business") were never so catchy before.
Just for reference: Bob Dylan, who is not known for his humility, loved Goodman's work and even volunteered to play on several of his songs (one, "Election Year Rag," is included as a bonus track). Goodman, thank goodness, can sing a whole lot better than Dylan, and as a moderate fan of Dylan's songwriting I'd say that Goodman at times far surpasses Dylan's finest work.
And, in case you still aren't convinced, you can't tell me you aren't curious about a song called "The I Don't Know Where I'm Going But I'm Going Nowhere In A Hurry Blues." It's actually one of the catchiest songs I know.
Buy this album. You won't regret it.

It was 1974 when I first saw Steve Goodman at "The Earl of Old Town" on Wells street. It was one of the only clubs who let us in without ID's and what a great time we had. Steve has been my musical hero ever since those days and its sad that he's singing in "rock and roll heaven" where we all know there is one hell of a band. This is a great CD!!! Plus, what a CUB fan Steve was... and yes The Lincoln Park Pirates are still towing cars... We miss you dude!!!

Steve Goodman (self-titled, Buddha Records, bonus tracks edition): These are great songs written by Goodman, including his own original version of "City of New Orleans". Everyone who loves the music of the 1970's `singer-songwriter' movement ought to have this album in their collection.

This CD (original 33" recording from the 70's) was the beginning of my long love affair with a performer who put absolutely everything into his performances and, more particularly, his songs. The original album carried a thank-you to his doctors in New York City where I had just missed him on a rotation through their service, and it was the doctors who spoke of his spirit and insisted I give the album a listen. It is just as good to listen to 35 years later.
If you are a Goodman listener, you know that many of his songs are extremely personal and even touch on his illness and treatment. Yet he was, at least in the small venues I saw him, always connected with his audience and upbeat (even frenetically energetic), other than nearing the end of a tour when you could hear how he missed his family.
It is certainly hard to know an artist from his public persona, but he must have been a tremendous person offstage, if the number and fame of his show business/musician/songwriter admirers is any measure. Tributes after he died attest further to that sense of who he was, and even references to him in modern songs can still be found. The iconic "City of New Orleans" is often attributed to the many artists who sang it, but my favorite Goodman song has always been "Would You Like To Learn To Dance". So simple.
There are many others to enjoy. It's many years too late to have heard him in Berkeley at a Bread and Roses concert upstaging Mimi Farina and George Carlin with his dancing version of "Red, Red Robin", but you can still get a sense of the real human being who loved his craft, his family, and life until the end when we lost him.

Steve Goodman never sang the same song live twice. I own every lp and cd. The man is a joy to listen to. City of New Orleans and the Dutchman I could listen to a million times

It is good to hear Steve Goodman songs that were made famous by others. Though Arlo Guthrie and David Alan Coe did better-known versions of "City of New Orleans" and "You Never Even Called Me by my Name," there is a sweetness and originality to Goodman's performances that is touching. Listening to these songs is a poignant reminder of what might have been if this talented performer had not died young.

This was a gift for my son who was absolutly thrilled with it. Each year he gives me a list from Amazon for CD's and books. They are always "the best"
They are delivered very promptly. We are very pleased with Amazon.
Jean Marie Deveaux
Canada

Good tunes. What a talented song writer he is. If he were as good on vocals he would be awesome. Nice selection - I really like "So Fine".

To me this is acoustic rock music and not folk music. It's as good as Simon and Garfunkel, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and other acoustic rockers of the 60's and 70's.

My favorite songs are "Yellow Coat" and "Would You Like To Learn to Dance" and the quirky "Donald and Lydia" but they are all great. You might find the first song "Don't Know Where I'm Going.." a little tinny sounding with the brass intro but don't give up on the CD it because there are many jewels to be found. He even does Hank.

This man was truly a genius. I was blessed to see him perform once in a small concert of about 200 people around 1973 and it was truly an amazing experience. I miss him and often wonder what he would have written and recorded in the last 20 years with all the crazy politics, etc. and, yep, he'd still be goin' nuts over the pathos of the Cubs.