Album Review 2006
Wanna Go Back - Eddie Money
Genre: Classic Rock/Tribute/Covers
Review By: Tony
Quotes:
Classic Eddie Money,
every song is just as good as the originals if not better. - Tony
Similar to Rod Stewart and what he did with his Song Book releases, this album showcases classic tracks with a classic guy at the helm. - Tony
Album Specs:
1. Ain't No Mountain High Enough
8. Build Me Up Buttercup
2. Higher And Higher
9. Land Of 1000 Dances
3. You Don't Know Me
10. Hold On, I'm Comin'
4. Baby, Now That I've Found You
11. Mockingbird
5. Good Lovin'
12. Please, Please, Please/Oh Baby Don't You Weep
6. Expressway To Your Heart
7. Jenny Take A Ride
Wanna Go Back Can Be Purchased At: www.cdbaby.com/cd/eddiemoney
Track By Track Breakdown:
1. Ain't Not Mountain High Enough - Here's a classic! Who hasn't heard this song, it's been in Movies, on TV and on the Radio for years! So does Eddie do it justice? Absolutely! Eddie's vocals still sound amazing after all these years and when mixed with his daughter Jessica's vocals you get a combination that equals pure enjoyment. Don't be quick to judge, oh I've heard this song before, you've not heard The Money Family Version so give it a shot!
2. Higher And Higher - Another song that everyone knows, Eddie does another amazing job here. What I really enjoyed was the use of the classic sound, not trying to modernize anything in the track. Just letting Eddie do his thing was a great idea and personally I find that it works perfectly.
3. You Don't Know Me - A Ray Charles cover, can Eddie breathe life into this classic? There's no doubt that it's a classic track, Eddie's vocals are so amazing as the song just flows. Eddie's comments on the disc say it all "A real tearjerker! Ray Charles is so cool! This might be the best cut on this CD!" Eddie I have to agree with you there, add in Eddie's harmonica for good measure and what you have is this purely brilliant track. Sit back, grab your favorite drink and let time just pass by.
4. Baby, Now That I've Found You - This song is one song I've always thought should be covered by someone with a raspy voice. There's a growing theme in this album, you can really hear how much fun Eddie is having when singing these tracks. Very laid back and just going with the flow. This is my personal favorite track from the album as it's just so perfectly put together.
5. Good Lovin' - Eddie knows how to pick'em, another blended
track that fits his vocals. This should be a track that Eddie throws
into his live shows, it's just an all around fun filled track that
fans will go for. No matter what age you are, it's a guilty pleasure
track don't deny it.
6. Expressway To Your Heart - This song could have easily fit on one of Eddie's first albums. It's that perfectly matched to his vocals. Anyone remember the movie Adventures In Babysitting? If so then you know this song, the backing horns fit in brilliantly and add that power punch that makes it all come together.
7. Jenny Take A Ride - You know when you watch TV and there's songs that are playing during commercials. Here's a perfect example of a song that should be used for a car commercial, it's fun and has that jumpin' jive feel. Swing Baby Swing!
8. Build Me Up Buttercup - An oldie but goody, a true musicians track. The backing HEY HEY HEY just makes the song pop and brings back the classic music sound that is missing in today's industry. Did I hear bongos? Oh I think I did, the elements in this track make it so that you can hear something new each time you listen to it.
9. Land Of 1000 Dances - Anyone out there who was in High School band at one time or another has played this track. Of course the band I was in didn't come close to this version, Eddie smokes on it! I've always heard bits and pieces of Steve Perry in Eddie's material as their vocals are similar in many ways. This is another one of those songs you'd swear Eddie and Steve were doing it all together. You get almost a live feel from this track because of the crowd effects, bringing back the memories.
10. Hold On, I'm Comin' - Ladies and Gentlemen, The Blues Broth.... Wait Wait.. that's not right.. I'm sorry, I couldn't help it, when I hear this song it reminds me of the Blues Brothers. Eddie blends his own attitude into the track giving it new life, definitely a track for those who love Sam & Dave - The Original Blues Brothers.
11. Mockingbird - When I read that this track was going to be on the album I asked myself how can it be done, I don't think it can be? Boy was I wrong, it's classic in sound with Jessica taking over the vocals as Eddie backs her all the way. She holds her own and really adds another dimension to the track then previous versions I've heard. The horns really standout making it sound like your sitting in Las Vegas back in the days with The Rat Pack.
12. Please, Please, Please/Oh Baby Don't You Weep - Ending the album is a James Brown medley, absolutely brilliant as Eddie captures the heart of the songs and makes them his own. Now of course this isn't the first time Eddie has sung these songs as Eddie says "Just Like I Did It In 1966".
The Rundown:
Eddie Money releases Wanna Go Back, a covers disc that pays homage to classic musicians and brings back that classic music sound. But will fans go for it?
+'s (Positives):
+ It's New Eddie: Weather it's covers or original material, it's more than welcomed. It's not a greatest hits disc that's for sure!
+ Classic Sound: Eddie with his daughter Jessica along with the band bring back a sound that just isn't around anymore, but needs to be!
-'s (Negatives):
- New Original Material Missing: Personally I don't find this to be a bad thing as I'll explain below, but I'm sure some fans won't understand this move by Eddie.
Overall:
Eddie Money releases Wanna Go Back, his first in studio disc since 1999's Ready Eddie. First off I know what people are going to say about this album, It's A Covers Disc So Why Buy It? Where's The New Material? Has Eddie Lost It, He Releases A Covers Disc, Why?
Well you can think any of those things and of course you'd be so wrong. Lets address each one, Covers Disc why buy it? Ok now I've not been into cover discs unless they are done right. Styx attempt last year was no where near what I expected and the results from my review still stand. Rick Springfield's cover disc was better then Styx but still lacked. Was it the songs chosen that effect the outcome? Yes it was, most of the songs picked by Styx and Rick didn't match their vocals or style. Now this is not the case with Eddie Money. Eddie is a classic guy, from a classic time. Sure he was big in the late 70's and through the 80's for his rock material but it's where his roots are that really made this album happen. He took songs that he's adored and admired and tweaked them just a bit to make them his own. So going back to the question Why Buy It? Here's my question to you - Why Not? It's Eddie Money, It's something new from him and this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as things to come from the Money Man. Any fan of Eddie, weather your a new one or an old one needs to add this disc to their collection simply for the enjoyment. You actually get to hear a musician do classic songs that he's loved and that really shines through each track.
Second question was Where's The New Material? Well there were hints of an album being released last year "Top Ten Like A Big Dawg" what happened to that? Honestly I don't know, but Eddie has mentioned that he's working on new material overseas and a live show was recorded recently which could see a DVD or Live CD release. So when I said this release was only the tip of the iceberg it truly is.
Final question was Has Eddie lost it, he releases a covers disc, Why? Well that's basically a combination answer of both the first and second question. It's fun to release an album like this for an artist, I'm sure there's pressure but not nearly as much as when it comes to original material being released. Eddie hasn't lost any of his vocal abilities, he sounds just as he did on Ready Eddie as well as previous releases. Similar to Rod Stewart and what he did with his Song Book releases, this album showcases classic tracks with a classic guy at the helm. Plus there's more to come from Eddie like I mentioned before. Eddie's in top form and hopefully fans will get to hear new original material from him very soon. But for now pick up this album, it may not be original material but it's certainly Eddie Money!
- Big Thanks To Randy Forrester & Everyone @ www.Eddiemoney.com
Final Rating
For "Eddie Money - Wanna Go Back":
1 Points = Transitions /
Order
1 Point = Fun Factor
1 Point = Instruments / Vocal Sound
-- Point = Writing / Lyrics
1 Point = Overall Design / Feel
Overall Total: 4/4
Favorite Songs:
For more on Eddie Money visit the following websites: www.eddiemoney.com - www.cdbaby.com/cd/eddiemoney - www.bigdealproductionsinc.com