8 New from $24.98 11 Used from $3.85 1 Collectible from $55.00
MP3 Album Price: $9.90
Compatible with all MP3 players including iPod, iPad, iTunes and Window Media Player
John David Souther was among the first artists signed to David Geffen's Asylum Records imprint, joining the likes of other SoCal talents Judee Sill, Jackson Browne, David Blue, Jo Jo Gunne and the Eagles. Souther's on-again/off-again collaborations with fellow Detroit, MI native Glenn Frey began when the pair formed a folk duo called the Longbranch Pennywhistle. Their sole outing is definitely worth finding as it boasted contributions from the likes of James Burton (guitar), Ry Cooder (guitar), Doug Kershaw (fiddle), Jim Gordon (drums), Larry Knechtel (keyboards), and Joe Osborn (bass). For Souther's 1972 debut, the singer/songwriter enlists the aid of not only his one-time partner Frey, but also a few other notable names consisting of Ned Doheny (guitar), Gib Guilbeau (fiddle), former Things to Come member Bryan Garofalo (bass), and soon-to-be-session musician extraordinaire Gary Mallaber (drums). John David Souther (1972) bears the same earthy Southwestern textures that are inextricably linked to the roots of the country/rock subgenre. Unlike the Appalachian and blues influence of Charlie Daniels, Marshall Tucker Band, or Lynyrd Skynyrd, a considerably deeper influence emerged within Souther's ten original compositions. "The Fast One" commences with a midtempo rocker that bears the sonic stamp of Guilbeau's unmistakable fiddling. "Run Like a Thief" follows with a prime example of Souther's often underrated lyrical capacity. He draws upon sacred themes during "Jesus in 3/4 Time" with a feel that isn't too far removed from the Gram Parsons-era Byrds. "Kite Woman" is a love song for codependents, reiterating an understated craftsmanship within Souther's wordplay as he reflects on one whose "got you strung-out somewhere down the line." "Some People Call It Music" is marked by some superlative string work from Souther and Doheny, with the former's harmonies practically predicting the compact, rural vocals that the Eagles would adopt in fairly short order. Joel Tepp (harmonica) -- whose recent résumé listed a guest shot on Crazy Horse's Loose (1971) and the Buffalo Nickel Jug Band's eponymous LP -- provides a few greasy harp licks to the blues-fuelled "White Wing." The palpable loneliness of "It's the Same" and the concluding "Lullaby" are countered by the rocker "How Long." Although the latter title was initially issued by Souther as a single from this album, it resurfaced some 36 years later on the Eagles' reunion studio platter Long Road out of Eden (2007). It would become a Grammy award winner for them under the "Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal" category. The nod reinforced an already prolific collaboration between Souther and the combo, as he supplied several key LP cuts for them during the '70s, including co-writing "Doolin-Dalton,""You Never Cry Like a Lover," "James Dean," "The Best of My Love," "New Kid in Town," "Victim of Love," "Heartache Tonight," "Teenage Jail," and "The Sad Café." ~ Lindsay Planer
Live Recording
Photographer: Frank Laffitte.
Personnel: J.D. Souther (vocals, guitar, piano); Wayne Perkins (guitar, bottleneck guitar); Glenn Frey (guitar, piano); Fred Catero, Ned Doheny (guitar); Joel Tepp (harp); Gib Guilbeau (violin, fiddle); David Jackson , David P. Jackson (piano, keyboards); Gary Mallaber (keyboards, drums); Mickey McGee, John Barbata (drums).
Recording information: 1971.
Rolling Stone (10/26/72, p.62) - "..sounds good to begin with and gets better with age...the kind of first album that doesn't even sound like a first album.." Record Collector (magazine) (p.93) - "[I]t's very good. There's a variety of genres and tempos, the playing is great, the songs well made and the work hangs together cohesively."
As Fine A Songwriter As Jackson Browne!!! J.D. Souther was one of those fine tunesmiths in the tradition of Jackson Browne and Warren Zevon. Known more for love ballads and smooth country rockers, his was one of the finest voices of the L.A. Country rock scene back in the '70's! It's too bad he never got the recognition he truly deserves and sadder still, he seems to no longer be making music. If you love the Eagles, Poco and Jackson Browne, you owe it to yourself to check out John David. He is excellent country rock! Submitted by Paul (New York) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
The Eagles Didn't Fly Here The reason that I bought J.D. Souther's first solo album was based on the brilliant live rendition of "How Long" by the Souther-Hillman-Furay band. The song was used as an encore for that ill-fated group in their concerts.
Yes, "How Long" is there, and Souther also shows off his Country-Rock credentials on the opening track "The Fast One" featuring some wonderful Cajun fiddling by Gib Guilbeau. Another song "Kite Woman", a lazy, folk rocker about a lady who strings men along like a kite is a pleaser.
Otherwise, forgetttiaboutit.
Souther demonstrates on one hand why he is such a great songwriter. But on the other hand he shows the kind of indolence and shall I say lack of discipline that kept him out of the Eagles, despite his close friendships with Henley and Frey, but brought him as a recalcitrant type into the SHF band. Both Furay and Hillman could have used songs like "How Long" and "The Heartbreaker", but they would have been better served with someone else rather than the undisciplined Souther who instead of bring creativity to a group with great potential nevertheless brought tension instead.
Three great songs about the 70s California experience, and the rest a self-centered songwriter's filler. Hmmmmm. Submitted by a reviewer (Upland, California) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 2 found this helpful.
As Fine A Songwriter As Jackson Browne!!!
The Eagles Didn't Fly Here
Share this Product