Customer Reviews

Two Sides of the Moon

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Here's a solo record to show that 1/4 of the Who is better than 100% of almost anything else. Surprising only because Keith Moon was not a writing or singing force in the Who, and from all sources partied and drank his way through too short of a life. In other words, not the type of guy (bloke if yer English) to sweat the details of making an album.

That this holds together so well is probably due to the contributions of one of the most impressive casts of guest-stars ever. Because Moon is said to have inspired genuine affection from practically everyone he knew, all probably gave their best efforts to make this work out for the Clown Prince Of Rock. Ringo Starr acts as sort of emcee, literally, on "Solid Gold" and trades wisecracks with Keith on "Together." Like a British Rat Pack, arr arr. The liner notes also reveal that Ringo came up with the title of the album after Keith wanted to call it "Like a Rat Stuffed Up a Pipe." Good job, Ringo! Rick(y) Nelson (!) shares lead vocals on "One Night Stand," written by Rick's Stone Canyon Band-mate Dennis Larden. (By the way, it's not tacky as the title might mislead.) They must have met at a (garden?) party when they were both on the Decca label. Nilsson sang on and wrote "Together." Much less surprising to see Nilsson, another notorious partier, turn up here. The liner notes refer to "a serious `hospitality booze bill'" that sent record label MCA into shock.

This is one CD where the credits are definitely worth reading, as other background musicians include Joe Walsh, Spencer Davis, Jay Ferguson, the girl group Fanny, and Flo and Eddie.

For someone Pete Townshend apparently banished from the studio for all Who vocal sessions, Moon sings surprisingly well. He even imitates some of John Lennon's vocal details on covers of "In My Life" and "Move Over Ms. L." Keith seems to be paying tribute to the Beach Boys by covering "Don't Worry Baby" and to his own group with a version of the early Who classic "The Kids Are Alright." Original songs "Crazy Like a Fox," "Solid Gold," and "One Night Stand" sound fine alongside the remakes.

As you'd expect, the drumming is excellent, even when it's not Keith doing it. Usually it's Jim Keltner or Curly Smith, with Miguel Ferrer--isn't he an actor?--doing really well on "Don't Worry Baby."

Pros and cons vs. the vinyl version, starting with the pros: 8 bonus tracks, starting with a very funny radio spot promoting the record and including good songs ("I Don't Suppose," "Real Emotion") among some alternate versions and more quipping with Ringo. One unavoidable con is that the title made a bit more sense with the vinyl LP (two sides, get it? but whattaya gonna do); the other is that the original album cover could be reversed from the "dignified" version shown on the CD cover to the--surprise!!--shot of (what I assume is) Keith's tooshie which is provided for your amusement and refreshment under the CD tray. He's mooning us, get it? Keith Moon? Huh? Huh?

This disc, unlike this review, is fun. Please add it to your shopping cart now.

Keith Moon, THE WHO s' drummer, recorded one complete solo cd and half a second one. In this cd, he reunites with his best musical mates: Joe Walsh, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Klaus Voorman and Harry Nilson among others. Keith Moon was a BEACH BOYS fan, son here he includes his favorite song DONT WORRY BABY. John Lennon plays guitar and backin vocals in his "Move Over Mrs L." (perhaps dedicated to Yoko?. Keith also covers a beautiful Beatles song: "In my life".. The Who is covered by him also "The Kids are alright" sounds outstanding!!!

"Crazy like a Fox" is total fun!! Other songs are also an expresion of his love for his friends (Together) and idols (Teenage Idol). This is a solid cd because register the love of Keith Moon for life, his friends, his idols and his band...

For fans: He also sings/plays on the John Entwistle 1975 produced cd: Flash Fearless. He plays on one track with KENNEY JONES and with John Entwistle singin/Playing: "To the Shop"


For absolute fans: there is a song with Keith Moon singing on the "All This and WWII" soundtrack. He sings "When I am 64" by the Beatles..... an age he never reach. It is a killer version....

Keith's only release but it is a great one. Once I listened to it, I could not stop. On the anniversary of his death, I called a local radio station to play one of these songs but they refused. The dj said people identify with The Who and not Keith Moon as a solo artist. Their loss! I am glad to see it is still available!

It's not just Keith Moon, it's the whole thing. The album is a laughfest, and I mean that in a good way. Some say Keith couldn't sing, but that's what Roger said about John a while back. The songs are great, Keith's comments during the song are hilarious, and the entire album is what any fan of the who, especially Keith, should have! It's sure to make your day.

After hearing this CD, I have come to the conclusion that although Keith Moon was not the best singer in the world, he sure made an honest effort on this, his only solo album. I think he did an excellent job of singing "Don't Worry Baby", and his rendition of "Teenage Idol" isn't bad either. Another good song to check out is "In My Life", also handled very well. Overall, a good CD to check out, and a fine job done by everyone involved in this project, definitely a must for all Who fans. Keith Moon may be gone, but he is most certainly not forgotten. ROCK ON KEITH!

The above statement is false, Keith Moon can sing, haven't you ever heard 'Bell Boy?!?!' Moon was a wacky man, and needed to release some of his hot air that was damned up on the Who album ... which is pretty much what this album is. there is nothing wrong with this album, I think it's a rather good, I just wish Keith would had written a couple of tracks, oh well ... but the album is pretty good. As Keith describes it: "One of the most brilliant, constructed and contrived albums to come out of...me." It is more of an album for a Weird Al or Frank Zappa fan, but I strongly caution Who fans on this: the version of 'The Kids Are Alright' ain't so alright. I give it a four for Keith Moon, but this material would destroy any Who album indefinitely.

Some of us know a little too much for our own measley human existence. If you enjoy life's imperfections, this album is for you. This album is awful. This album is sick. This album gives pop music a bad name. Which is probably why I find it so enjoyable! Long live Keith Moon and his silly sick sense of humour. A genius, just for making you smile.

The critics completely miss the boat when they review this album. It is not meant to be a serious release. You must listen to this album in the spirit of Keith Moon. The album was recorded during a continuous party of Moon & his friends. It is hilarious to listen to Keith as he sings some of his favorite songs. I have been listening to this album for years and the cd release offers some great bonus tracks to boot. When you are tired of listening to the highly produced/concepts pieces out there, take a break, come back to reality & listen to some musicians having fun & not giving a crap. I fully believe that Keith's drive behind the album was to get some advance money from MCA Records and have a fun time at their expense. He actually has a few 'good' tracks on the album. These ones are the bonus tracks such as 'Naked Man'. Ironically, Keith chose to save these tracks for another album that never materialized. These three tracks were produced by the legendary Steve Cropper, and actually may have received a bit of radio airplay. Just listen to this album and laugh.

This was a disappointment. I thought it would be a showcase for Keith's very funny (and very British) sense of humour. Instead, it was a straight forward rock album, and not a very good one at that. It's sort of like a film which has tons of celebrity cameos in it. It may be fun for those who make it (and if you read the liner notes here, the recording sessions were a mammoth drunk marathon that would still be going on if the record company didn't pull the plug on it), but it isn't much fun to listen to. It's not horrible, but just so ORDINARY, and describing Keith Moon as ordinary is sacreligious. He was an outlaw, pirate, generally insane (especially on Wednesdays) man who was the greatest rock drummer ever (or, at least one of the greatest). So I thought this album would have been funnier and a lot more fun. I listened it to it a few times, accepting it was just a rock album with Keith having a good time with his friends, but I still didn't like it. There's always Quadrophenia to listen to. Keith is still one of the greatest, anyway...

It might not be a masterpiece, but it sure beats most of Daltrey's and Entwistle's solo albums. I love the album because of it's honesty and humour. When I listen to his cover version of The Beatles song "In My Life" it's easy to see him alone in the studio, singing, holding a large brandy, as he fights back the tears. Magical Moon.