Rick Springfield - Written in Rock: The Rick Springfield Anthology
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Free Music Notes for Written in Rock: The Rick Springfield Anthology
Free Music Review: One of rock's most over-looked artists
Hit: 5 Stars
He was an actor and a musician; how serious do you THINK the critics would take him? As such, Rick Springfield, despite several hits (including "Jessie's Girl" and "I've Done Everything For You," both of which you probably know even if you don't realize it), has been left to dust. This compilation comes out after his career has pretty much run its course (although a recent top-thirty hit on the Adult Contemporary charts is noteworthy), but it stands as a reminder that this guy was one of the best singer/songwriter/guitarists out there.
Starting from his earliest days, up through his most recent album of covers (the unfortunately bland THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW), WRITTEN IN ROCK is a CD for any rock fan. There's the rollickin' guitar/vocal styles of "I've Done Everything For You," "Jessie's Girl," "The Light of Love," "Calling All Girls," etc.; there're the sentimental ballads, such as "Souls," "Me & Johnny," "The Power Of Love," and others; there's the 80s "bop" of "Bob 'Til You Drop," "Don't Walk Away," and "Love Somebody." There're songs of reflection, songs of angst, songs of sex, songs of drugs, songs of fatherhood, songs of remorse, songs of happiness, and songs of...well, songs. It's all here, recorded over an impressive career that most artists would envy. Springfield has never really slowed down; he's always done it his way, and WRITTEN IN ROCK is a testimony to how far one man and a guitar can go...and the desire for a certain best friend's girlfriend...
Free Music Review: Wonderful collection
Hit: 5 Stars
When I was 12 a friend introduced me to Rick when she played "Working Class Dog" for me on her record player. I have loved his music - and had a crush on him - ever since. All during my teenage years I listened to his songs over and over again.
Since I haven't owned a record player in years, I got rid of my Rick records long ago. I have a hits CD, but it's missing so many of the songs I loved.
This anthology CD has them all, plus many nice surprises. As others have said, the only song I miss is "Bruce."
I love that this CD includes some of his songs from the 70s. I had heard those albums but never owned them.
I loved all of the songs from the "Living in Oz" album when I was a teen, especially the title song. It may sound corny, but I nearly cried a couple of days ago when I heard that song for the first time in years. It's a great song, and it also brought back a flood of memories.
I love that Rick included explanations about his inspiration for writing each of the songs, plus about the production of each album. His candid notes are interesting, and often funny.
I think this anthology showcases Rick's talent, and is an explanation of why Rick has had a steady following beyond his success in the 80s.
If you like Rick's music, you'll enjoy this collection. If you love Rick's music, you must buy this collection.
Free Music Review: Surprisingly Solid Collection, Will Change Your Opinion of Rick
Hit: 5 Stars
I can't believe I'm writing this -- Rick's early, charged version of "Eleanor Rigby" may be one of the most creative covers of that song I've ever heard.
After leading off with that spectacular cover, this collection just gets better and better. I really enjoyed his pre-fame work, including "Speak to the Sky," but he of course hits his stride with an amazingly catchy string of guitar-based power pop that to my ears sound like a more poppy version of Todd Rungren and Utopia. Really good stuff.
Ok sure, Rick like so many others fell under the spell of mid-80's studio technology, which apparently required the use of loud electronic drums, bombastic screeches, and syncopated synth lines that make you want to tear out your speakers ("Rock of Life") and the album drags a bit there. But there are even gems during this relatively fallow period -- "Honeymoon in Beirut" should have been a big hit, and "State of the Heart" is as catchy as anything from Working Class Dog.
In the end Rick comes through beautifully, listen to "Beautiful You" or his lovely take on "For No One" and see if you don't agree. I've been pretty much playing these two cds straight through for the last two weeks in my car, and my opinion of Rick Springfield has entirely changed.
This guy seriously deserves a second look.
Free Music Review: Best Of The Best... And about Bruce?
Hit: 5 Stars
I guess that I'll echo the sentiments of the other reviewers by saying that this is the best collection of Rick Springfield's music on two CD's. All the hits are here as well as some very popular album tracks. Songs like "Carry Me Away" and "Inside Sylvia" originally appeared on the 1981 album Working Class Dog. And "Love Somebody," "Don't Walk Away" and "Bop" are all from the 1984 soundtrack Hard To Hold.
But about this allusive song "Bruce." It originally was only available on the Australian release of Working Class Dog in 1981. Then, it reappeared with a new, remixed music track on a 1984 Rick Springfield album called Special Feelings that was released on Mercury Records.
So, it's anyone's guess as to who holds the copy rights to the master recording of the song "Bruce." And other than Rick's vocals appearing on the Special Feelings album, I seriously doubt that he had anything to do with the overly synthesized, overly processed sound of this album. Not some of his better work to say the least. But I digress... This two disc set is packed from rim to rim with tons of really great RS hits and memories. If you have been putting off getting a "best of" collection because you were waiting for the right one, well, wait no more!
Free Music Review: A Must Have
Hit: 5 Stars
Short and sweet, Rick is one of the quintessential power pop songwriters of our time. Too often Rick's extensive body of work and dedication to his craft are overshadowed by his 80's superstardom, yet anyone who takes the time to dig into his vast catalogue will find more gems than in a jewelry store.
We must also note that Rick's live show easily surpasses the energy level, interaction and power of just about any act out there on the road today. With the glut of lip-synchers and other fodder glogging tour circuits these days, the 20-something's should look to Rick for inspiration as performers with his caliber of stage presence and talent are quite rare!