katmar's Full Review: Rickie Lee Jones by Rickie Lee Jones
When Rickie Lee Jones burst onto the music scene in 1979 with her infectious hit Chuck E.'s In Love, sung with her sweet, brazen hipness, everyone knew a major talent had just arrived.
She was called the female Dylan for her ability to write lyrics (and melodies) that took you places you'd never been to or even thought about, or with the simplest of lines, convey a truth so deep it took your breath away.
Feminists hailed her for being on the cover of Rickie Lee Jones in a beret, smoking a small cigar (or is it a "More" cigarette?), redefining the power of women in a non-threatening manner. Kind of like the antithesis of her peers at the time: Chrissie Hynde, Patti Smith, Joan Jett, and countless others.
Rickie Lee stood apart. Rickie Lee was "hip" personified.
And with the voice of a child that knew too much of the world, she changed lives -- mine included. To this day, her first three CDs are three of my favorites.
But this CD in particular is a classic. Maybe it's the innocence. Maybe it's the playfulness. Maybe it's the freshness of it. Maybe it's the pictures she paints with that unmistakable voice. Maybe it's all of the above.
I adore this woman, and these songs, even though her later (and latest) work completely baffle me.
The CD
Chuck E.'s In Love is a song about a boy from the neighborhood whose new crush has changed him so completely that his friends are completely baffled.
I'll tell you what, I saw him...
He was sittin' behind us down at the Pantages
And whatever it is that he's... got up his sleeve
Well I hope it isn't contagious
What's her name? Is that her there?
Oh Chr*st I think he's even combed his hair!
Is that her? What's her name?
Oh, it's never gonna be the same
This is all set to a melody line that makes you wanna move as smooth as the lines coming out of Chuck E.'s mouth.
On Saturday Afternoons In 1963... how great of a title is that? Already puts some pictures in your head, yes? Those lazy afternoons when you and your friends would hang out in someone's room and just wile away the hours.
This song is a longing for those days as well as a warning not to lose them, because someday the remembering just may save you.
So hold onto your special friend
Here, you'll need something to keep her in
"Now you stay inside this foolish grin"
Though any day your secrets end
Then again, years may go by...
Accompanied only by an aching, melancholy piano, this song makes me hurt even as it comforts me.
Night Train is another song about loneliness and longing, but it centers on a mother who rides the night trains with her child so the social workers won't find her and take her away from her.
And she prays, don't let 'em take me back... broken like Valiums and chumps in the rain that cry and quiver. All the while assuring her child, they won't get ya...cuz I'm right here witcha on the... night train
This one's a heartbreaker too.
And then we have Young Blood, a song that wouldn't sound too out of place on the radio today, if radio had any taste left.
It's about life in the night of the city where kids borrow cars, make out, and try and get away with as much as possible. But unlike Springsteen who always wanted out of the city, Rickie seems to be having fun, even though she knows its dangers.
Find a block where your people can find you
Keep a third eye watching behind you
You never know when you're making a memory
They will wish they were here together again someday
The third line has been quoted in Reader's Digest's Quotable Quotes, and I think of that line often, and I try and take it to heart.
When Kathy and I laugh out loud unexpectedly, or do something spontaneous. When my mom and I watch a movie. When I'm driving into Pittsburgh and I see the downtown skyline, and Annie Lennox is on my stereo singing about "downtown lights". You know what I mean? So I guess I have Rickie Lee to thank for putting that thought in my head and making it a memory in itself.
Easy Money is hysterical. Starting out with notes that seem to come from an upright bass, Rickie Lee launches into a story about two hookers trying to set up one of their johns to take his money.
They flipped a dime
One said, "Well I'll take heads this time"
One stepped up, one stepped back
One loosened her shoulder strap
She couldn't speak, her knees got weak
She could almost taste that eeee-zy mon-ay
Does the plan work? Guess you'll have to hear it. :)
The Last Chance Texaco is a song about desperation that uses car metaphors to describe this woman who is at the end of the road, in every way possible.
Oh it's her last chance -- her timing's all wrong
It's her last chance, she can't idle this long
Her last chance -- turn her over and go...
Pullin' out of the last... chance... Texaco
If that sounds corny on paper, it's because you can't hear the fear in her voice. Rickie Lee sells this, and it's another song that will stay in your memory far longer than you thought it would.
Danny's All-Star Joint is one of the snazziest, jazziest be-bop songs ever written. Filled with colorful characters and fun, insightful wordplay, your toes will be tappin' to this one. And if you need picked up when you're down, flip on this song and see what happens!
And he says, "come on, Cec, give me a dollar!
Come on Cecil, gimme five
I'm in a halfway house on a one-way street
And I'm quarter past left alive
And what's so great about Danny's? They got a jukebox that goes doyt doyt -- a finger snappin' dee-luxe, make your be-bop bap, and your r & b hep scat. Did you get that?
Classic, classic, classic.
Coolsville is another look back at the way things used to be. I and Bragger and Junior Lee all hung out together, and they were coolsville. And it would always remain that way. Until it didn't.
Now the hungry night wants more and more
And you're chippyin' your little kiss
I jumped all his jokers, but he trumped all my tricks
But I, I, I swear to God I thought this one was...
Smart enough to stick it into Coolsville
This song is nearly all piano, and moves from wistful, moody remembrance to some apathy, to flat out anger. A promise was broken and she's not forgiving him. Or anyone. Amazingly atmospheric.
Weasel And The White Boys Cool is a song about a guy named Sal who lives in a black vinyl pen in New Jersey who buys his meat from a wh*re next door. Wants it rare but he gets it well. A weasel on a short order floor..
Rickie Lee Jones speaks her own language, we just go along for the ride, and this song makes me laugh alot, even though it's incredibly sweet in spots. I just love the line, but a weasel ain't got a dime for the phone.
Company is a complete change of pace. Yes, the lonely piano is back, but this song is quite conventional in its arrangement, unlike the rest of the CD.
A beautiful ballad to an ex-love that breaks things down so simply. What will hurt her the most?
I will miss your company
I usually cry when I hear this, or at the very least get goose bumps.
Why do we love the people we love? Many reasons. But you boil it all down, we love their company. I'm stunned by how simple that is. And this song is beautiful.
After Hours (Twelve Bars Past Goodnight) closes this gem out, and it sounds just like the title suggests it might.
Say goodnight, America
The world still loves a dreamer
Yes it does, and yes I do, and I can find no way to fully convey the wondrousness of this singer and this writer.
Overall Summary
Exceptional:
Chuck E.'s In Love (Rickie Lee Jones)
On Saturday Afternoons In 1963 (Rickie Lee Jones)
Night Train (Rickie Lee Jones)
Easy Money (Rickie Lee Jones)
The Last Chance Texaco (Rickie Lee Jones)
Danny's All-Star Joint (Rickie Lee Jones)
Coolsville (Rickie Lee Jones)
Company (Rickie Lee Jones/Alfred Johnson)
Excellent:
Young Blood (Rickie Lee Jones)
Weasel And The White Boys Cool (Rickie Lee/Alfred Johnson)
After Hours (Rickie Lee Jones)
************
I think the true success of an artist lies not in how many records they sell, but much of an impact their music has had on your life. And how long that impact lasts. Everyone looks at The Doors, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, John Lennon, etc., as the ones whose impact has endured for so many years. I don't dispute that.
But I also look at Rickie Lee Jones, Chrissie Hynde, Patti Smith -- the ones who didn't die -- and nearly thirty years after their debuts, those debuts still hold up. Those debuts are still classic. Add Blondie to the list as well. And many other artists. But I'm focusing on Rickie Lee because of her impact on me.
I don't know how old I was when I heard this on album. I only know that I'm much older now, and it's still just a treasure to me. It still moves me in ways I forget about until I put it on again.
If you don't know Rickie Lee Jones, and you need someone to compare her to, I haven't a clue. I can name no one. She is pop with a bit of jazz/bebop funkiness, but she's something completely original.
There are few artists you can say that about. I think that's kind of wonderful, don't you?
Go buy this.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.