Marshall Crenshaw: I've Suffered For My Art... Now It's Your Turn CD Track Listing

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Marshall Crenshaw I've Suffered For My Art... Now It's Your Turn (2001)
Originally Released September 25, 2001\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Marshall Crenshaw's second live album, with its Henny Youngman-inspired title, is in all ways a smaller-scale affair than its predecessor, 1994's Live: My Truck Is My Home. Crenshaw is captured performing a club date at the refurbished Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, on February 16, 2001, and his format is unplugged; the instrumentation consists of himself on acoustic guitar, with acoustic bassist Greg Cohen joining on eight songs, and accordionist Charlie Giordano on four of those. Crenshaw's set is a mixture of his best-known material ("Someday, Someway," "There She Goes Again," "Whenever You're on My Mind"), songs from his most recent studio album, 1999's #447 ("Television Light," "Dime a Dozen Guy," "T.M.D.," "Tell Me All About It"), and some interesting cover tunes (Jody Reynolds' "Endless Sleep," the Left Banke's "Walk Away Renee"). The limited instrumentation necessitates simpler arrangements, brings Crenshaw's fingerpicking to the fore (notably on "Cynical Girl"), and places a greater emphasis on the often-clever lyrics to his songs. But unlike other rockers who have tried the acoustic format, he doesn't really tone down his performing style to the circumstances. Most of the time he sings full out, as if he's fronting an electric rock band, and his spoken remarks, perhaps fueled by nervous energy, are similarly charged instead of being casual and intimate, as the situation might have suggested. As a result, the performance doesn't provide much of an alternate view of his work, and the album is recommended primarily to his existing fan base, the kind of enthusiastic listeners leading the cheers at the Stone Pony, rather than to those who might expand his cult following. -- William Ruhlmann\n\nHalf.com Details \nContributing artists: Greg Cohen \n\nAlbum Notes\nPersonnel includes: Marshall Crenshaw (vocals, guitar); Charlie Giordano (accordian); Greg Cohen (acoustic bass).\n\nRecorded at the Stone Pony, Asbury Park, New Jersey on February 16, 2001.\n\nIncludes liner notes by Marshall Crenshaw and Scott Schinder.\n\nMarshall Crenshaw's earlier live album, MY TRUCK IS MY HOME, was culled from assorted clubs and concert halls, mostly with a band in tow. This release was recorded live at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey on a single night in February 2001. It's primarily a solo acoustic show, but he's joined on a few numbers by Greg Cohen on bass and Charlie Giordano on accordion.\n\nThe 14 songs offer both a tour from his rich songbook and a couple glimpses into some of his musical influences and forebears--one from the 1950s (Jody Reynolds's "Endless Sleep") and one from the '60s (the Left Banke's "Walk Away Renee"). Though he had few actual chart hits, almost all of Crenshaw's songs sound like they could have been smashes. He mixes the familiar ("Cynical Girl," "Someday, Someway") with some tunes of more recent vintage, including several from his wonderful #447 album of two years previous. I'VE SUFFERED is a fine overview of a continuously productive, high-caliber songwriter and performer.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nAlas, an Apt Title, January 5, 2003\nReviewer: Patrick Noonan (Atlanta, GA USA)\nDid he listen to these tapes before releasing them?\nMarshall Crenshaw has an ear like no one else -- for the pop hook, the unforgettable guitar lick, the surprising chord change, the addictive chorus. His brilliant studio albums over the past 20 years haven't received anywhere near the notice they deserve. Nor have there been enough of them -- I guess that explains why so many of us snatch up anything he releases!\n\nHowever, this one won't get a second listen. (Okay, maybe a second, but no THIRDS!) \n\nThe songs are great but pale in comparison to the studio originals. The playing and singing are sloppy and reveal nothing new. The sound and arrangements are surprisingly amateurish coming from someone with such meticulous studio standards (and amazing studio technique!) And shy guy that he is, the onstage patter is limited and predictable.\n\nBy all means, support this guy by buying his complete studio catalog - but you can safely skip this one.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nLoses Something in the Translation, June 9, 2002\nReviewer: A music fan\nMarshall Creshaw is an outstanding musician. As such, he should understand that it is incumbent on the musican to take a few minutes to repurpose/rearrange a song for acoustic presentation. Many of these cleverly crafted electric pop songs just don't translate easily in an unplugged format. They are presented with the same vibe and tempo as they are when Crenshaw is backed by a full band.\nThis is a good album with a few gems and frankly a must have for Crenshaw fans. However with a little extra work from Crenshaw on the front end, it could have been a truly great album.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nHangin' Out With Mr. Crenshaw..., April 28, 2002\nReviewer: Somewhere in Texas (Planet Texas)\nThis CD gives me the great feeling of hanging out with Marshall and hear him play his favorite songs and covers. It's not perfect, I agree with others that his voice is mixed too "hot" (listening on headphones) and sometimes his guitar playing is sometimes too busy and flashy for the song's own good. But its fun to hear these songs stripped down from the big production and standing on thier own. I wouldnt reccomend this to first time listeners - get the Rhino Best-Of and leave this one to longtime fans.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nMissing some trademark Crenshaw qualities..., December 10, 2001\nReviewer: John Stodder "a.k.a. Juan La Princi" (livin' just enough)\n...but it's still fun. When he's on stage alone with a guitar, you don't get those gorgeous, multi-tracked harmonies that give his already excellent songs such depth. But it's certainly interesting for fans to hear these songs in stripped down versions, sung in a very emotional style that also differs from the "cooler" vocal style of the studio creations. You have to be a fan to enjoy this record; if you got steered to this review because you want to try out Crenshaw go either to his first album or his best-of. If you fall in love with those records, you'll eventually want this, but not as a starter.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nSlightly Disappointing, November 20, 2001\nReviewer: David A. Zapolsky (Seattle, WA USA) \nAlthough Marshall Crenshaw turns in a respectable live acoustic performance of some of his best songs, this album ironically proves that his songs (and his voice) really sound best when they're performed by the type of band for which he originally intended them. Unfortunately, the acoustic mode doesn't always show off his voice to great effect (that's never been his strongest suit anyway), and listening to this album one misses the unique and distinctive electric guitar textures that mark so many of his best songs. It's still very listenable, and the songs are still great, it's just that this album will probably appeal more to those who already know Crenshaw's work and will appreciate the sometimes strikingly new interpretations of his older songs.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nFellow Students..., November 15, 2001\nReviewer: Richard Singer (Sharon, MA United States)\nI can go toe to toe with any diehard MC fan, but I have some problems with this album. First off, I don't care if your patter is as good as Lou Reed's, it will get old very fast on a record, paticularly long stories with dramatic punchlines (but the "fellow students" line on here is very funny). Second, I think the recording is poorly mixed--the vocals are too harsh(and MC sings sort of flat, IMHO). But the selection of songs is great, Marshall's guitar playing is, as always, dazzling, and the arrangements are fine, if you like the "unplugged" ambience. I've seen him electric at The Bottom Line, and acoustic in Dallas. Both were great, but I prefer the power pop approach... \n\nWhile it's fun discussing which cool 50's/60's songs Marshall chooses to cover, what I'd like to see is either a MC tribute album or a compliation of MC songs that have already been covered by other artists ("She's Not Mine Anymore"/Robert Gordon comes immediately to mind--what else is out there?).\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nWOW!!, October 22, 2001\nReviewer: M. Barry Etra (new haven, ct United States)\nAs a long-"suffering" Crenshaw fan, I was in heaven listening to this live album that FINALLY captures his musical genius live.\nThe songs really resonate, his guitar shimmers with sound; some of the tunes sound better than they ever have.\nThis is a vast improvement over "My Truck is My Home", his only other live set, and a must for any power-pop fan. If you want romance, Marshall is your guy. Someday he'll get the recognition he deserves.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nGood example of Crenshaw's work...but not the best, October 2, 2001\nReviewer: Christopher Ingalls (Massachusetts)\nMarshall Crenshaw was one of the most criminally underrated songwriters of the eighties. His work can be compared to such talents as Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe and John Hiatt. He's that good. This new acoustic live album, recorded at the Stone Pony earlier this year, showcases some of his great songs, along with some covers. It's an entertaining listen, marred by a few flaws. \nMarshall sounds great, and he's in a great mood. Unfortunately, some of the between-song patter is a bit annoying. There are times when I wish he'd just move on to the next song. There are some performers, like John Wesley Harding, who are naturally gifted in regaling the audience with jokes and stories. Marshall's idea of gabbing with the audience is saying stuff like "hey, all right!" I'm almost expecting something like "Helllooooo, New Jersey!" Also, even though this is really insignificant in the general scheme of things, I have to say that the cover of the disc is godawful. \n\nFortunately, there are many great songs here. "Television Light" is marvelous, as is "Better Back Off," "Cynical Girl" and the closest thing he ever had to a hit, "Someday Someway," which closes the disc in a rollicking, tuneful fashion. \n\nIf I could give it three and a half stars, I would. If you want a great example of Marshall's work, get the compilation "This Is Easy."
This folk cd contains 14 tracks and runs 55min 21sec.
Freedb: c00cf70e

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