REVIEW: Scott McCarl, Play On (Titan)
- Bill Holmes
If you don't remember the name, there's two tip-offs right on the CD cover: the words "ex Raspberries" under his name, and the immortal imprimatur of that great label Titan Records ("It's All Pop!"). In other words, if hooks and melody are your thing, pop open the wallet and get this disc right away.
Raspberries fans need no excuse to grab this on sight - this isn't some sideman hanging on to someone else's legacy like a barnacle. McCarl added a strong jolt to the band and the seventeen cuts here are proof positive that the man could pull his weight. His slightly raspy vocals evoke Paul McCartney in his prime, floating across sweet pop that calls to mind Badfinger, The Records, The Beatles, and yes, his alma mater ("Go Down Swingin'" would have been a hit for The Raspberries). The first ten cuts are newly recorded, and as a bonus there are old tracks dating back up to thirty years ago!
It's hard to pick favorites from the newer cuts, as there are many standouts. The beauty of the midtempo "Fallin' In Lovin'", the Rubinoos backing Scott on the infectious "In Love Without A Girl", the collaboration with Kyle Vincent "Same Ol' Heartache" (again with the amazing Tommy Dunbar and Al Chan lending a hand) and the bouncy "I'll Be On My Way" will do for starters. There truly isn't a bad cut among them. (His contribution to the Raspberries tribute CD, "Nobody Knows", is also included here).
If any of the older material sounds dated, it's because of the production, not the song writing. Regardless of the time period, Scott's music echoes the feel of his influences and contemporaries. "Don't Wanna Go" has an Artful Dodger sound, while "Surrender" and "Wait A Minute Girl" will turn the head of any Badfinger fan. "Don't Make Me Sad" (the song from Scott's demo that wowed Eric Carmen) sounds like a John Lennon demo.
The booklet is wonderfully arranged; each song is annotated and there's an illustrated biography that traces his career from that first moment when pop whacked him upside the head. McCarl is gracious with remembrances and kudos to fellow musicians, some of whom made it big and some who weren't as lucky. Recent interest in The Raspberries (books, album reissues) apparently reminded McCarl not only that he was among the lucky ones, but that he still had much more music to offer. If these recordings are any indication, pop music fans will reap the rewards for quite a while. Welcome back!
The release is also notable for the return of Titan Records, that great pop label owned and run by Tom Sorrells (Scott's friend and fellow band member in Yellow Hair). Now Tom, how about a Gary Charlson collection to send pop fans into absolute orbit?
