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Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show Shel Silverstein (1932-1999) was a jack-of-all-trades and master of many. Best known for his children’s books such as Where the Sidewalk Ends, he was also a singer, illustrator (for “Playboy”), screenwriter (he co-wrote Things Change with David Mamet), and prolific songwriter—as evidenced by this collection, and by chart-toppers for everyone from Jerry Lee Lewis to Loretta Lynn and Johnny Cash, who scored with “A Boy Named Sue.” |
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Back in 1971, however, he had written tunes for the film Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? The movie’s musical director heard a tape by the New Jersey bar band Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show and decided their sound (most notably, tenor Dennis Locorriere) were just the prescription for the soundtrack. That started a productive partnership for the songwriter and band that peaked, at least commercially, with the hits “Cover of the Rolling Stone” and “Sylvia’s Mother.” Dr. Hook ultimately earned more than 60 gold and platinum albums worldwide, number ones in 42 countries, and, yes, the cover of “Rolling Stone.” Songs on this CD are drawn from eight Hook albums plus the Kellerman soundtrack. With well over an hour of music and extensive, informative, and very enjoyable liner notes, this is a definitive package for fans of Shel, Dr. Hook, or both. |
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It serves up the hits ("Sylvia's Mother," “Rolling Stone") sorta-hits ("Carry Me, Carrie" and "More Like the Movies”) and immortal classics like "Roland the Roadie and Gertrude the Groupie," "Freakin' at the Freaker's Ball," and "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan,” later a sorta-hit for Marianne Faithful. There’s also a little charmer with a title I don’t recall seeing in Shel’s children’s books: “Looking for Pussy.” Silverstein’s consistently funny lyrics, out-of-the-mainstream themes, and strong-enough-for-the-mainstream hooks, together with the muscular musicianship and two distinctive voices—Ray Sawyer, the eyepatch-wearer known as Dr. Hook, and the aforementioned Locorriere—that gave the Medicine Show the ability to transition seamlessly from hillbilly stomp to sweet soulful ballad, and you’ve got yourself a winning combination. If you were stoned and missed it the first go-round, here’s your second chance. The Dr. is back in. —Bob Brown |
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