Yes ... You know what's funny... I can't remember his name properly. I always start typing Bearwald before I remember to turn the two letters around. In German wald means forest, and bear makes more sense to me somehow... 🙃
One of the few times I've had a chance to listen is while driving.
I don't have the greatest sound system in the Rat-mobile, indeed it is a considerable distance from being the greatest car, and I feel this album is worthy of full, lyrical, immersion.
Punctuating the listening experience with random cries of "ARE YOUR ******* INDICATORS NOT WORKING YOU ******* NUGGET" and other such pleasantries, as I'm occasionally prone to do during my daily commute, is not optimum.
@MagicRatAFC I heartily recommend that the next time you're driving your sleek machine (whether over the Jersey State Line or, you know, not..) you load this album and crank it loud... You won't regret it. 😊
Before moving to the next album, I have to report @SteveInJoburg and @Jerseyfornia that I was listening to Bedtime Stories, also, and I'm enjoying this album very much. Maybe @whispered secret would like this one even more than Boomtown, it is easier to identify with, perhaps (subjective, I know). It has some complex arrangements, great hooks (All For You, Good Times), and lyrics with the ability to override your thoughts.
The Hello Mary clever "dialogue" made me cry, but I'm a crybaby anyway...
I clicked on Hellbound Train, the five songs EP on Spotify, and I have to say that I understand Rick's decision about what he's going to listen to for part 3 of his book.
Hi Ho Nobody's Home is the creepiest song I have heard in a while...
@Louisa I'm glad you are enjoying the music. There is a promotional version of Bedtime Stories where DB talks about each song before it plays. I used to listen to that over and over, 30 years ago pre-internet and YT you didn't get to see or hear much like that here.
I remember not knowing what he meant by 'A Pollyanna shouted, a Pollyanna cried' and then one day the movie was shown on the SABC...
Useless info for you, I had actually heard one of the songs on the album before Bedtime Stories came out, because it was written for Olivia Newton-John and was on her album The Rumour. My older brother was obsessed with ONJ so I always knew her music by default. She makes one or two lyrical changes, making the song less gritty.
Was trying to find a track on YouTube I have somewhere which was a remix of Swimming in the Ocean, the 'Generate Heat' mix, which was actually pretty good. Couldn't find it but found this instead. I love these kinds of videos, rare for one of a D + D track...
I should restate my earlier comment that the album was a moderate commercial success, since it went platinum and stayed on the album chart in the U.S. for over a year.
I always found it amusing that Welcome To The Boomtown was also released to radio in an alternate version (known as the Cheap Thrills version) that replaced the cocaine in Miss Christina's dresser with cheap thrills, but left the line about Kevin dealing dope out of Denny's intact.
This was at the height of Tipper Gore's crusade against popular music.
@Louisa Thank you but I don't suspect that it would do more than bore the pants off all but less than a handful of people on here.
I did recall something I hadn't thought about in years, though, when I was thinking about all of this. My brother was tasked with putting together sampler tapes for the music shops to play for a time. He used to book out a DAT machine from the office, bring home all these new and promo tapes and records, and I would help him compile and edit the cassettes. One time, for Christmas '89, I think, we actually put together a master file for what became a 2 record (vinyl) A&M white sleeve sampler.. I've made many mixed tapes and compilation CDs, but I think I can brag in saying I've put together a compilation vinyl album... I don't think too many people have done that. I may even still have a copy. 😊
Lyrically I think there are some similarities with Bruce, they are writing about similar subjects but musically this album didn't put me in mind of Bruce.
I've listened again and it's growing on me, even if I end up with only the first two songs being regular listens, it will have been worth the introduction!
Very few videos on YT, unfortunately, but here is one of David doing Heroes at a 2002 solo gig. I actually have this on a DVD, from a David Baerwald forum @Jerseyfornia and I used to frequent back in the day...
I found this interesting article on the internet, worth reading....The author mentions Springsteen, not just once, here is the interesting bit:
The other song to chart, “Swallowed By The Cracks” is a rewrite of Springsteen’s “Glory Days,” (come to think of it, GnR would try to rewrite “Welcome to the Boomtown” as “Welcome to the Jungle”) but David + David’s version goes one better because it goes further:
Rather than looking down his nose at hometown failures like Bruce’s successful narrator, Baerwald’s narrator, a former dancer fallen on hard times, refers to himself as a “drunken old whore,” confirming the song’s opening hint that he might be a street drunk. He spins a tale of his ambitious circle of friends – his girlfriend (actor Eileen) and her brother (his best friend and writer, Steve) who achieved none of their dreams, and by the song’s present have either disappeared (Steve) or work in a dead-end job (Eileen). Baerwald’s narrator has no sympathy for himself, making his unsparing criticism all the more angry and heartbreaking, and includes himself as one of “those clowns begging bus fare back.” Most unlike Springsteen, he doesn’t even have sympathy for the memory lane stroll itself:
I remember that article and having read it more than a few times. Probably my favorite read about it.
I know that first listen, I heard the subliminal Springsteen in this album. I call it subliminal because it's not one of those acts where you say, "oh, they sound like Springsteen."
For me, the entire album can be condensed into a lyric from Being Alone Together, that could be as much about his experience with Los Angeles as it is his relationship with the woman in the song.
She thought I was a hero, tee-hee-hee
I thought she was a goddess, foolish me
Many consider Hotel California to be the quintessential record about dreams being made or broken by Los Angeles, but it's got nothing on the grit and reality of Boomtown.
The two Davids, Baerwald and Ricketts, played most of the instruments on the record. The album was a critical smash and a moderate commercial success, but they never made another album as a duo. Baerwald has released several albums and EPs over the years and there's a broad depth to his talent and musical styles.
Can someone help... I never heard of them, at least I don't remember, but something about this album makes it familiar on the first listen. Like slipping into a worn out pair of jeans..
I can't determine what is it. First I thought it was the vocal, then the 80s sound... Then I went to sleep. 🙃
I don't know. You may have heard their names before or heard Baerwald's music. Both Davids were part of the Tuesday Night Music Club and worked on Sheryl Crow's first record and Baerwald has scored some films. I felt similarly when I first heard it in a stranger's car, like it was music I already knew, but did not.
I went to the supermarket, started to listen, and just couldn't get out of the car... I don't think I've heard an album about crashed dreams sound so good...
First listen whilst I was cooking to decide whether I needed to invest more time and read the lyrics etc.
The first two songs I thought were excellent and I wondered why I had never heard of them before. After those two, I went off it a bit. I just don't like much of the backing track, the sort of funky stuff for want of a better description.
However, I decided to give it all another go with the lyrics in front of me. Again, I really enjoyed the first two songs, the singing, the music, the lyrics, everything. I do think the lyrics throughout are really good - very powerful, especially the song about domestic violence, Ain't So Easy, which is very rare to hear in a song, especially told from a male point of view.
Musically, I still would prefer it without the backing, although I did think that worked on River's Gonna Rise.
I totally understand why you like this album so much JF. So many of the lyrics reminded me of your poetry. I will keep it on my playlist to listen again.
A good choice, got me out of my comfort zone again!
Ann, I completely get what you mean about the "sort of funky stuff."
When I first head this album, the first two songs were love at first sound. The other tracks that gripped me were the more straight ahead songs Heroes, A Rock For The Forgotten (I've been to the bar in the song) and River's Gonna Rise. Swimming In The Ocean has some of that funk to it, but I thought it was such a brilliant song that I loved it anyway. I didn't care so much for the others at first, especially being Alone Together. Didn't hate them, but they didn't do much for me. I listened to the tape a lot on the road when I got it and the lyrics of all those songs were more than I could resist and then I started to notice the intricacies of the music and the dark edge to the funk. All these years later, I'd be hard pressed to come up with a Baerwald song I don't like.
Well, I just saw this. Good choice JF. I still need to post my comments on @Louisa 's choice but this is the first album not of my choosing that I know inside out, back to front. As I'm sure JF knows, I could write, literally, volumes about this record and the main songwriter, David Baerwald.
Very keen to hear other opinions, especially from the likes of @whispered secret and the others who have not heard this record before.
Brother, I could post a Baerwald album every time my turn comes round. He's that great. I won't, of course, but depending on what folks think of Boomtown, I will probably choose Triage some week in the future. Bedtime Stories is very similar to Boomtown, but Triage shows how eclectic and biting he can be.
I chose it for my first because it's a record I've been pushing on people since I first heard it in a car hitchhiking and the girl who gave me the ride let me keep the the tape when she let me out. Figured I might as well get it out of the way straight off.
Thanks, Rick, for introducing me to DB.
I was working late tonight, and had the desire, just out of the blue, to listen to his music...
Maybe we could start this again, the Album Club Selection? Just asking....
@Louisa if you don't watch the entire show, check out Black mamba Kiss at 44:35. I think that's a Baerwald song you would love.
I'm back here. Went running with Baerwald tonight. 😊
Steve, that's part of the problem.
One of the few times I've had a chance to listen is while driving.
I don't have the greatest sound system in the Rat-mobile, indeed it is a considerable distance from being the greatest car, and I feel this album is worthy of full, lyrical, immersion.
Punctuating the listening experience with random cries of "ARE YOUR ******* INDICATORS NOT WORKING YOU ******* NUGGET" and other such pleasantries, as I'm occasionally prone to do during my daily commute, is not optimum.
I will make time however.
Trying to be a better album club member, I've only listened to this record on the hoof.
I've heard enough to know I need to sit down and immerse in this, otherwise I won't come close to appreciating.
More to come.....
From his third solo album Triage, but I've got to post this masterpiece. One of the greatest opening lines ever written and one I relate to well.
One of the songs on Bedtime Stores, Liberty Lies, features Joni Mitchell on background vocals.
David sang with Joni on her song Nothing Can Be Done.
Joni's vocals on Liberty Lies are very subtle but DB is very integral to Nothing Can Be Done. I love it.
4.23 am, I wake up hearing DB singing
Do you love me
Say you do
Before moving to the next album, I have to report @SteveInJoburg and @Jerseyfornia that I was listening to Bedtime Stories, also, and I'm enjoying this album very much. Maybe @whispered secret would like this one even more than Boomtown, it is easier to identify with, perhaps (subjective, I know). It has some complex arrangements, great hooks (All For You, Good Times), and lyrics with the ability to override your thoughts.
The Hello Mary clever "dialogue" made me cry, but I'm a crybaby anyway...
I clicked on Hellbound Train, the five songs EP on Spotify, and I have to say that I understand Rick's decision about what he's going to listen to for part 3 of his book.
Hi Ho Nobody's Home is the creepiest song I have heard in a while...
Was trying to find a track on YouTube I have somewhere which was a remix of Swimming in the Ocean, the 'Generate Heat' mix, which was actually pretty good. Couldn't find it but found this instead. I love these kinds of videos, rare for one of a D + D track...
I should restate my earlier comment that the album was a moderate commercial success, since it went platinum and stayed on the album chart in the U.S. for over a year.
I am falling behind here, need to get my bahookie in gear.
Swallowed is the song that has stuck in my head. I keep hearing it when I wake up, it is what I have been mumbling...
Maybe it ain't over I can see it's up to me
You only out when you stay out you stay out when you don't believe
We could drive around in circles getting nowhere all night long
Getting drunk with strangers telling lies
And singing along with the jukebox baby
The last two lines, the way he says baby and the short coda before he starts singing again... ❤️
I confess I dealt dope out of a Denny's when I was a young fry cook with a habit.
I always found it amusing that Welcome To The Boomtown was also released to radio in an alternate version (known as the Cheap Thrills version) that replaced the cocaine in Miss Christina's dresser with cheap thrills, but left the line about Kevin dealing dope out of Denny's intact.
This was at the height of Tipper Gore's crusade against popular music.
@SteveInJoburg Did JF introduce you to this album, or was it popular in SA?
I can't recall a lyric that describes non-romantic sex more effectively than...
Making like defrocked priests
Going through the motions
A double-backed beast
Without the holy lotions
Generate heat
But move without emotion
An athletic feat
Like swimming in the ocean
Lyrically I think there are some similarities with Bruce, they are writing about similar subjects but musically this album didn't put me in mind of Bruce.
I've listened again and it's growing on me, even if I end up with only the first two songs being regular listens, it will have been worth the introduction!
Very few videos on YT, unfortunately, but here is one of David doing Heroes at a 2002 solo gig. I actually have this on a DVD, from a David Baerwald forum @Jerseyfornia and I used to frequent back in the day...
I found this interesting article on the internet, worth reading....The author mentions Springsteen, not just once, here is the interesting bit:
The other song to chart, “Swallowed By The Cracks” is a rewrite of Springsteen’s “Glory Days,” (come to think of it, GnR would try to rewrite “Welcome to the Boomtown” as “Welcome to the Jungle”) but David + David’s version goes one better because it goes further:
Rather than looking down his nose at hometown failures like Bruce’s successful narrator, Baerwald’s narrator, a former dancer fallen on hard times, refers to himself as a “drunken old whore,” confirming the song’s opening hint that he might be a street drunk. He spins a tale of his ambitious circle of friends – his girlfriend (actor Eileen) and her brother (his best friend and writer, Steve) who achieved none of their dreams, and by the song’s present have either disappeared (Steve) or work in a dead-end job (Eileen). Baerwald’s narrator has no sympathy for himself, making his unsparing criticism all the more angry and heartbreaking, and includes himself as one of “those clowns begging bus fare back.” Most unlike Springsteen, he doesn’t even have sympathy for the memory lane stroll itself:
Swallowed by the cracks, our pride worn down
Talking times gone by like everybody else
https://stoplovingeverything.com/2016/09/16/30-years-of-david-davids-boomtown-is-becoming-30-years-between-albums/amp/
For me, the entire album can be condensed into a lyric from Being Alone Together, that could be as much about his experience with Los Angeles as it is his relationship with the woman in the song.
She thought I was a hero, tee-hee-hee
I thought she was a goddess, foolish me
Many consider Hotel California to be the quintessential record about dreams being made or broken by Los Angeles, but it's got nothing on the grit and reality of Boomtown.
The two Davids, Baerwald and Ricketts, played most of the instruments on the record. The album was a critical smash and a moderate commercial success, but they never made another album as a duo. Baerwald has released several albums and EPs over the years and there's a broad depth to his talent and musical styles.
Can someone help... I never heard of them, at least I don't remember, but something about this album makes it familiar on the first listen. Like slipping into a worn out pair of jeans..
I can't determine what is it. First I thought it was the vocal, then the 80s sound... Then I went to sleep. 🙃
I went to the supermarket, started to listen, and just couldn't get out of the car... I don't think I've heard an album about crashed dreams sound so good...
First listen whilst I was cooking to decide whether I needed to invest more time and read the lyrics etc.
The first two songs I thought were excellent and I wondered why I had never heard of them before. After those two, I went off it a bit. I just don't like much of the backing track, the sort of funky stuff for want of a better description.
However, I decided to give it all another go with the lyrics in front of me. Again, I really enjoyed the first two songs, the singing, the music, the lyrics, everything. I do think the lyrics throughout are really good - very powerful, especially the song about domestic violence, Ain't So Easy, which is very rare to hear in a song, especially told from a male point of view.
Musically, I still would prefer it without the backing, although I did think that worked on River's Gonna Rise.
I totally understand why you like this album so much JF. So many of the lyrics reminded me of your poetry. I will keep it on my playlist to listen again.
A good choice, got me out of my comfort zone again!
Well, I just saw this. Good choice JF. I still need to post my comments on @Louisa 's choice but this is the first album not of my choosing that I know inside out, back to front. As I'm sure JF knows, I could write, literally, volumes about this record and the main songwriter, David Baerwald.
Very keen to hear other opinions, especially from the likes of @whispered secret and the others who have not heard this record before.
Never heard of this. I have read a couple of reviews, which were very good. I should get a chance to listen this afternoon.