Steve Goodman- Artistic Hair & Affordable Art reissue reviews

Steve Goodman Artistic Hair and Affordable Art Omnivore Recordings

Jim Croce.

Harry Chapin.

Steve Goodman.

Three singer-songwriters forever associated for any number of reasons, depending on personal connections.

Omnivore expands and reissues two late career Goodman recordings this month. Essential offerings in that they serve as reminder—if such is needed—to the charm and ability of the Illinois troubadour.

Best regarded as the writer of “City of New Orleans” (a spirited take of which is featured here on Artistic Hair) Goodman was a charismatic performer, one who appeared able to connect with audiences in all circumstance.

The original albums have been significantly expanded with bonus tracks.

Spontaneous (“Winter Wonderland” and the bonus tracks “Wonderful World of Sex” and “The Broken String Song”) silly (“Chicken Cordon Bleus” and his John Prine co-write “You Never Even Called Me By My Name,” two versions included on Artistic Hair) and irreverent (“Elvis Imitators” and Shel Silverstein’s “Three-Legged Man”) are three descriptors that capture likely half of this edition of Artistic Hair; through their response, one can hear the audience connection being established.

Perhaps more significant—depending on perspective and preference—are songs where Goodman plays it completely straight, as on “Old Fashioned,” “I’ll Fly Away,” “It’s A Sin to Tell a Lie,” and “The Water is Wide.” Jethro Burns joins in on “Tico Tico” and the light-hearted nonsense that is “Don’t Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes”—perhaps elsewhere—the provided credits are unclear. I won’t comment on the inclusion of “The Auctioneer”—my views on this song are well-documented.

The original live takes comprising Artistic Hair do not flow as a complete performance, but rather are culled from a variety of locations across a decade of performances; some transitions are slightly jarring and sound quality ‘comes and goes,’ but is a release well-worth archiving. The bonus tracks are equally impressive, but come from the No Big Surprise anthology and as such may already be in the collection of devotees. For the casual listener or those developing an interest in Goodman, this issue of Artistic Hair is worth the time.

What may not be widely known is that during the entirety of his years as a recording artist—first with Buddah, then Asylym and his own Red Pajamas—Goodman lived under the spectre of leukemia. Diagnosed in 1969, Goodman spent the 70s in remission and—based on available evidence including these recordings—lived as if it could all disappear overnight. Living on borrowed time? Perhaps. Living? Certainly.

Affordable Art was to be the first release on Goodman’s Red Pajamas label, one of the first ‘artist-owned’ imprints. Facing the reality of his situation, Goodman appears to have poured himself into the album, a collection of studio and live tracks.

Never one to play it too straight, Goodman offers “Vegematic,” a litany of late-night offered products dreamed by a slumbering fellow, “How Much Tequila (Did I Drink Last Night?)”—another Prine co-write—” and “Talk Backwards.” Goodman’s regard for his beleaguered Chicago Cubs is apparent on a number of tunes.

There is no doubt Goodman was a terrific songwriter and vocalist, evidence provided here by “When My Rowboat Comes In” (featuring Marty Stuart on mandolin), “California Promises,” and “Grand Canyon Song.” Goodman and Prine team up for Prine’s “Souvenirs.”

He was also an excellent interpreter, and one has done disservice to self if his take of Ralph McTell’s “Streets of London,” one of several unreleased live tracks included, hasn’t been heard. Additional solo, acoustic bonus tracks—“Fire Escape,” “Friday Night,” and “It Took Me So Long”— make this edition of Affordable Art worthy of consideration.

Steve Goodman was 36 when he died. Imagine what good have been had he lived longer: experience what he did accomplish in his too short time.

Mention Jim Croce and Harry Chapin and you are likely to get nods of recognition, superficial perhaps but most have heard their names. Steve Goodman? Not so much. Unfortunate, that. These packages—reviewed from provided download—might be good places to start.

Additional Steve Goodman reissues coming from Omnivore next month!