42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Foskett assembles a pure-pop "Dream Team", November 12, 2000
This review is from: Twelve and Twelve (Audio CD)
The challenge with Jeffrey Foskett's latest, TWELVE AND TWELVE, is picking out the highlight among the pop treasures to be found here. Is it the opener, "Baby It's You," co-written with the Knack's Doug Fieger (who also contributes guitar and harmony vocals)? Maybe it's the Brian Wilson/Tony Asher composition, "Everything I Need," with Brian helping out on vocals and Darian Sahanaja of the Wondermints on vibes, piano and organ. Not to be overlooked are Jeffrey's duet with America's Gerry Beckley on Gerry's pretty ballad "Emma," or his cover of Parthenon Huxley's "Bazooka Joe" (with P-Hux on vocals and Elliot Easton on guitar). How about the three-guitars-and-vocalists treatment, with Marshall Crenshaw and Bill Lloyd, of their "The Best Thing About Me Is You"? Jeez, and then there's his exuberant version of the old Hollies hit, "I Can't Let Go," with Larry Ramos of the Association (!) helping out on harmonies. Talk about blasts from the past--who knew Andy Kim's voice hadn't changed an iota since the '60s? Listen to "A Woman's Laugh" for proof... Want more great covers? Check out the bonus tracks, versions of Shoes' "Your Very Eyes" and the Youngbloods' "Get Together" that strongly evoke the originals while sounding fresh and distinctive at the same time.
The track that *really* made me sit up straight, though, was "The Word Go," written and recorded with sometime collaborator and New Surf labelmate Jeff Larson. These guys sound like they've been singing together forever, just that instinctive and natural. Chiming guitars, seamless two- and three-part harmonies, a killer bridge--what more could you want? (If the two Jeffs ever have the time and inclination, I think they've got a truly great duet album in them; they also hinted at it with Larson's 1998 release, WATERCOLOR SKY, on which Foskett co-produced and arranged, co-wrote many of the songs, sang backing vocals, and played guitar.)
Of course, Foskett sings like an angel throughout, and his gifts as a producer and arranger--especially of vocals--are obvious. On TWELVE AND TWELVE, he's succeeded in combining his own and others' material--and often collaborating with the artists themselves--and making an album that both hangs together as a whole _and_ sounds wonderful. Very highly recommended, and one of this year's best releases.
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