Saturday, February 19, 2022

The 1981 Listening Post - Mitch Ryder - Live Talkies

 Mitch Ryder - Live Talkies



1981 Housekeeping

Mitch Ryder

Live Talkies

Genre: How many albums did this guy release in 81????

3.25 out of 5


Highlights:

ER Ist Nicht Mein Präsident



Requisite 80s covers:

A rollickingly unnecessary version of “Subterranean Homesick Blues” that strips it of it’s import and, therefore, it’s poetry.

“Wicked Messenger”, another Dylan tune which I am not that familiar with (Not a big Bob fan, I) that suffers from the “We’ll do it live!” approach.

A decidedly uninteresting version of “Take Me to the River”.


This is the second of three albums Ryder put out in 81. I haven’t done the research, did he have a life sentence that put him in the position of having to get out as much as possible?

This one is missing a bunch of tracks so we don’t get an opening track. Instead, we start off with Track 2, “Corporate Song (It’s Not For Me)” and that thing is a slog. And there’s a bunch of Dylan covers. So…why? Why not just save your best stuff for one epic release, Mitch?


OK, did a little research, like Big World, this album was cut live in the studio. Unlike that Joe Jackson masterpiece, there’s no audience to play for. Just themselves. So it feels like that. Players who play and play well but don’t really have anyone to impress or move. He gets some action going on “Tough Kid” but you gotta get all the way to Side Three to get there. 


This is a triple album so…if Mitch is your spirit animal this is a lot of spirit. For me, he’s just serviceable. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCSbdh0jLV0&list=PLlvn8uktX5Lv2itYu837SQOQ2mxzK3ITF 

No comments: