An artist during the heyday of what was called “Singer/Songwriters,” Steve Goodman (1948-1984) was one of the most clever of his genre, mixing Mort Sahl-like humor in his songs along with an ecumenical approach to music that melded bluegrass, swing and the blues. These two albums from 1983-84 were at his apotheosis, and they include extra material, making them a kind of anthology of this musical genius.
Goodman’s best known for his compositions, most notably “City Of New Orleans” made most famous by Arlo Guthrie, and “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” which was popularized by the cowboy rebel David Allan Coe. There’s obviously more to him than that, as the 83 concert album is a potpourri of humorous mood, ranging from the hilarious “Elvis Imitators” to the jumping “Let’s Give A Party.” His tunes always had a mix of tradition in them, as he includes the old timey “The Auctioneer” and “The River Is Wide” and even throughs in a manic “Tico Tico.” Goodman knew how to work a room!
The follow-up 1984 studio album is filled with new material, which includes a Western Swinger “Talk Backwards” and a travelling minstrel of “If Jethro Were Here.” If you’re a baseball fan, you’re going to go nuts over his snappy read of “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” and howl at “A Dying Cub Fan’s Last Request” along with the bonus track of “Go Cubs Go.” Because his life was cut short by leukemia, these albums are essentially his last releases, making you wonder what this folk version of Dave Frishberg could have done with the rest of his career. The last of the clever troubadours.