THE CHRISTGAU CONSUMER GUIDE
David Blue: “Nice Baby and the Angel” (Asylum). Long ago, before he sought institution in David Geffen’s tastefully maintained diaspora, David was a nice baby who had grown up. His songs were tortuous and somewhat arty, but they had their strengths.
THE CHRISTGAU CONSUMER GUIDE
Robert Christgau
by
David Blue: “Nice Baby and the Angel” (Asylum). Long ago, before he sought institution in David Geffen’s tastefully maintained diaspora, David was a nice baby who had grown up. His songs were tortuous and somewhat arty, but they had their strengths. This one sounds like outtakes from the Eagles, all easy rhythms and ladies and outlaws in old Chevrolets. C minus.
“The Blue Ridge Rangers” (Fantasy). If John Fogerty really wants to play all the instruments himself, he’s wise to perform country music. Overdubbing on top of yourself produces the kind of semi-mechanical feel Nashville producers strive for. There are energy rushes here (one guitar break on “Jamabalaya,” the “no-no-nos” on “Hearts of Stone”) but they’re always brief and controlled by the context. Doing that sometimes is fine — it was always the point of the cover versions on Creedence’s albums — but this time there are no original songs. Result: one better-than-average country-rock statement. B plus.