8 Comments

Nice review and sentiments, an album I love and still listen to on vinyl. For what it's worth, CJ, I saw Boz open for Stevie Nicks in 1998 at the now-demolished Universal Amphitheater and he did not play Lido to the dismay of the crowd!

Expand full comment
author

That's crazy! It would be like if Europe opened for somebody and didn't play "The Final Countdown". You'd be like, "Seriously? What do you think you're here for?"

Expand full comment
author

I always wonder what a guy like that (small, loyal following but a lot of casual fans there to see the hits) is thinking. Was he just sick of playing it, or did the crowd piss him off. The world may never know.

Expand full comment
Nov 17, 2021Liked by Mitch Blum, CJ Kaplan

My first reaction when I saw the subject line in my inbox was "Man, this better make the cut!" I came to this record late, but probably at the right time. I can remember Chris Berman & co. working "Lido" into their Sportscenter schtick, and I seem to recall Rita Coolidge's version of "We're All Alone" getting some airtime in the car, but that was about it.

I missed out.

"What Can I say" is fantastic (can middle-aged guys use the term "banger?"). I'm also a sucker for a good outro, and the one on "Georgia" might be my favorite part of the entire record. Boring? I think not!

This is a solid album from start to finish. 16 yr. old me could've never admitted he liked it. 46 yr. old me hopes the EONS crew gives it a second chance.

Expand full comment
author

If it makes you feel any better, Mitch called us heartless bastards when he read our decisions. I think he felt more betrayed by Ken than me, but I'll let him speak to that. That first side, though. It's really, really thin. Side B has to step in and rescue the whole project, which it does. But not enough for me. I wonder if I listened to Side B first I'd forgive Side A more. Interesting to think about

Expand full comment
author

With the exception of "Jump Street" side A is amazing. "Georgia" and "Harbor Lights" are my favorite songs on the album. The drumming is just astounding - so much swing. Boz's back-and-forth with the background singers is Ray Charles-esque. I am still flabbergasted that Silk Degrees isn't a first-ballot entry, but hopefully the veteran's committee will fix your egregious mistake in 10 or 15 years.

How can you criticize bar mitzvah music when you love bar mitzvahs???

Expand full comment
author

So now you're nominating The Hora for Newbury St.?

Expand full comment
author

Don't be smart with me, young man.

I am, however, nominating Phish's "Avenu Malkenu" from Darien Lake 8/7/93.

https://open.spotify.com/track/4dcuDn0bswyBMyPCbLyRLy?si=f9fd2a0e25384903

Expand full comment