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Elly Roberts reviews
J.D.Souther: Border Town
The Very Best Of J.D.Souther
Distributed by
Salvo
- October 2007
- Rating: 8/10
Fans of the Eagles will instantly recognise the name J.D. Souther.
He’s written some of their biggest hits – Best Of My Love, Victim Of Love,
Heartache Tonight and New Kid In Town. Their recent single How Long
from album Long Road Out Of Eden was written by him way back in 1972. He’s also
written for Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt.
Souther’s country rock credentials are undisputable, and it’s unfathomable
why he never took off like his illustrious stablemates, because he’s written
some excellent songs. They go back to the '60s influenced by Roy Orbison, before
he teamed up with future Eagle Glenn Frey, and Jackson Brown. Souther and Frey
formed short-lived Longbranch Pennywhistle, a folk duo.
Later he teamed up with Chris Hillman and Richie Furay for Souther – Hillman –
Furay Band recording two albums. A bigger audience came when contributing to
the Eagles, who were clearly comfortable with his material, even to this day.
Bordertown shows his individual songwriting skills, with selections from
four albums and a couple by SHFB. An R’n’B/Country opening, White Wing shows
he wasn’t totally immersed in slick honeyed choruses. This lazy funky gem with
deft harmonica splashes shows another side to his country roots, it also highlights
his wonderful vocal lilt.
It’s easy to see why the Eagles chose How Long as a comeback single, but
here it’s a tad earthier and more country than their rendition, and it’s a timeless
classic still. It also makes me wonder why his famous chums haven’t picked up
on Fast One as it’s perfect Eagles vocal and instrumental territory
fusing a neat country swing and commercial edge.
Arguably, Jesus In ¾ Time is the jewel in the crown, a very, very stately
ballad, again like something from an early Eagles album like On The Border.
Going down a deeper country road, pedal steel-drenched Pretty Goodbyes
twists and turns accompanied by gloriuous harmonies a la Beach Boys, whereas
lightweight rocker title track – Border Town sees Souther up the pace
and edge, just a bit, like something from a Doobie Brothers back catalogue.
In a similar mode, Trouble In Paradise, is upbeat and very catchy, combining
jazzy interludes – funky bass, flute and Doors-like organ - that juxtapose
magnificently to the overall thrust of the thumping drums and wiry gutar solos.
A big fan of Roy Orbison, Souther does a marvelous tribute to his hero for
You’re Only Lonely (a take on Only The Lonely) becoming one of the
collection’s main highlights, sounding more like Orbison than the man himself.
With the compilers choosing a stylish end, the haunting All I Want, with
its haunting drums and organ, Souther lets us know he can handle a (beautiful)
ballad like no other, and that includes Don Henley of, yes you guessed it, the
Eagles.
File under: Finger-licking good.
The full list of tracks included are :
1. White Wing
2. How Long
3. The Past One
4. Jesus In ¾ Time
5. Pretty Goodbyes
6. Border Town
7. Somebody Must Be Wrong
8. Trouble In Paradise
9. Faithless Love
10. Black Rose
11. If You Have Crying Eyes
12. Silver Blue
13. You’re Only Lonely
14. The Bars Burn Down
15. Say You Will
16. Go Ahead And Rain
17. I’ll Take Care Of You
18. All I Want
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2008.
For prints of any of Elly's concert pics online,
email Elly
or call 07765 862017.
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