I put Marshall Crenshaw
on my review list quite a while ago, when Jesse Valenzuela of the Gin Blossoms praised
him. (Crenshaw helped with the writing of "Till I Hear It From You".)
One reason I add
recommendations from musicians to my review list is that often they know bands
I have never heard of but really like when I get to them. I knew who Marshall
Crenshaw was, but something about Jesse's tweet made me think - absolutely
correctly - that I didn't know enough.
I did not know about the
release of six EPs between 2013 and 2015, mixing new, original material with
covers. That includes the affecting "Driving and Dreaming".
I knew nothing about Miracle of Science (1996), which stands out because while there
are lots of good songs all over Crenshaw's catalog, I feel like Miracle of Science has really great cohesion as an album. (I am
not just saying that because of the outstanding "Theme from
Flaregun".)
Most important, I knew
nothing about "Whenever You're On My Mind", which pierced me to my
soul from the intro.
Crenshaw has a remarkably
expressive guitar; it amazes me again and again. That's the kind of thing you
find going deeper.
Of course I knew
"Someday, Someway" and I have always liked it. His voice is good for
expressing yearning and was a great match for Buddy Holly in La Bamba.
But that guitar
practically forms words, and says more than words can say. It is fitting for
that talent to have a career that spans decades and keeps finding something new.
That's why I am glad I
did this. So thank you Marshall, and also thank you Jesse.
Marshall Crenshaw plays
in Portland at Dante's tonight, September 15th: http://danteslive.com/calendar/
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