Great Rock Albums of 1980: Warren Zevon- Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School

I plead guilty to the fact that when you hear an album from a particular artist, you expect their next album to be pretty much exactly the same and you are a bit disappointed when it's not. However, I know I'm not the only one. This was the case when I heard this 1980 release from Warren Zevon. His 1978 album "Excitable Boy" had me rolling on the floor in stiches with songs like "Excitable Boy" and "Lawyers, Guns and Money." Even the hit single "Werewolves of London" deeply amused me. However, I can't say the same with "Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School." None of the songs had me laughing the same way and maybe that was a good thing. I now appreciate how good of a musician Warren Zevon actually is.

Okay, so the album wasn't as hilarious as its predecessor. The most amusing songs on the album are "Jeannie Needs a Shooter" (co written with Bruce Springsteen) and "Gorilla, You're a Desperado" and then there's the song "Play It All Night Long" which satirizes the famous Lynyrd Skynyrd tune "Sweet Home Alabama." The rest of the album just contains some decent songs which are still enjoyable to listen to. It leaves me to conclude that Warren Zevon never got the recognition he deserved for his talents as a singer, musician and song writer. Furthermore, he puts a good band behind him and there are contributions on the album from Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Glen Frey, Don Henley, Don Felder and Joe Walsh to name a few.

Track Listing:

1. Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School

2. A Certain Girl

3. Jungle Work

4. Empty Handed Heart

5. Interlude No.1

6. Play It All Night Long

7. Jeannie Needs a Shooter

8. Interlude No. 2.

9. Bill Lee

10. Gorilla, You're a Desperado

11.Bed of Coals

12. Wild Age

Warren Zevon- vocals, piano, bass, guitar, organ, synthesiser, keyboards, harmonica

Jorge Calderon- guitar, vocals

David Lindley- guitar, violin, steel guitar

Rick Marotta- drums, percussion, bells, vocals

If you fancy a listen to a decent light hearted rock album, than this one is a sure thing. There are some amusing moments on it with some good songs to get into. I know, I'll be checking out more of Warren Zevon's work in the future.

Next post: Heart- Bebe Le Strange

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