Peter Case (album)
Encyclopedia
Peter Case was the debut album by American power pop
singer-songwriter
Peter Case
, released in 1986 on Geffen Records
. The album was produced by J. Henry "T-Bone" Burnett
and
Mitchell Froom
. Case was accompanied by 20 other musicians including Burnett and Froom, guitarist Mike Campbell (of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
), John Hiatt
, drummers Jim Keltner
and Jerry Marotta
, Roger McGuinn
(of The Byrds
, Van Dyke Parks
, and Victoria Williams
, among others. Case wrote five of the songs on the LP, and co-wrote six others including three with Burnett, one with Burnett and Marotta, and one with Williams. One song features lyrics by Case with music originally written by Lightnin' Hopkins. The album closes with a cover of Shane MacGowan's
"Pair of Brown Eyes", originally performed by MacGowan's band The Pogues
.
Peter Case was a member of Los Angeles power pop group The Nerves
along with Paul Collins
(later of The Beat
), and Jack Lee. After the breakup of the Nerves Case made several albums in the early 1980s with
The Plimsouls
. This is his first solo album after the breakup of the Plimsouls.
The liner notes included the following unusual message:
, Jorge Bermudez, J. Henry Burnett, Mike Campbell, Mitchell Froom
, Richard Green, John Hiatt
, Jim Keltner
, Armon Rsadjikian, Warren "Tornado" Klein, Roger McGuinn
, Jerry Marotta
, David Minor, Gurf Morlix
, Van Dyke Parks
, Phast Phreddie, Tim Pierce, Jerry Scheff
, Fred Tackett
and Victoria Williams
.
Assistant engineers: Thom Panunzio
, Bob Hickey, Bill Jackson, Stephen Shelton, David Glover, Judy Clapp, Bob Luftus, Steve McMillan, Dave Ahlert and Steve Himelfarb.
Recorded at Ocean Way Recording, Sunset Sound Factory, Capitol
Recorders
, and Eagle Audio, Fort Worth, Texas
.
Mixed at Sunset Sound Factory by Larry Kalman Hirsch except "Icewater" mixed by J. Henry Burnett at Sunset Sound Factory.
Originally mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, NYC.
^Peter Case on MySpace
^Peter Case on Facebook
^Peter Case on ArtistDirect
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Peter Case
Peter Case
Peter Case is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, who has had a wide-ranging career ranging from new wave music to folk rock to solo acoustic performance.-Early career:...
, released in 1986 on Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
. The album was produced by J. Henry "T-Bone" Burnett
T-Bone Burnett
Joseph Henry Burnett , widely known as T-Bone Burnett, is an American musician, songwriter, and soundtrack and record producer.He was a guitarist in Bob Dylan's band on the Rolling Thunder Revue...
and
Mitchell Froom
Mitchell Froom
-Career:Froom began his career as a keyboard player in Sonoma County, California. The band Crossfire featured two keyboards players; Mitchell on one side of the stage and brother David on the other with Gary Pihl on guitar...
. Case was accompanied by 20 other musicians including Burnett and Froom, guitarist Mike Campbell (of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers are an American rock band from Gainesville, Florida. They were formed in 1976 by Tom Petty , Mike Campbell , Benmont Tench , , Ron Blair and Stan Lynch...
), John Hiatt
John Hiatt
John Hiatt is an American rock guitarist, pianist, singer, and songwriter. He has played a variety of musical styles on his albums, including New Wave, blues and country. Hiatt has been nominated for several Grammy Awards - although he has never won- and has been awarded a variety of other...
, drummers Jim Keltner
Jim Keltner
James Lee "Jim" Keltner is an American drummer known primarily for his session work. He has contributed to the work of many well-known artists...
and Jerry Marotta
Jerry Marotta
Jerry Marotta is a drummer currently residing in Woodstock, New York. He is the brother of Rick Marotta, who is also a well-known drummer and composer....
, Roger McGuinn
Roger McGuinn
James Roger McGuinn is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for being the lead singer and lead guitarist on many of The Byrds' records...
(of The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
, Van Dyke Parks
Van Dyke Parks
Van Dyke Parks is an American composer, arranger, producer, musician, singer, author and actor. Parks is perhaps best known for his contributions as a lyricist on the Beach Boys album Smile....
, and Victoria Williams
Victoria Williams
Victoria Williams is an American singer-songwriter and musician, originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, although she has resided in Southern California throughout her musical career. She is noted for her descriptive songwriting talent, which she has used to immerse the listener of her songs into a...
, among others. Case wrote five of the songs on the LP, and co-wrote six others including three with Burnett, one with Burnett and Marotta, and one with Williams. One song features lyrics by Case with music originally written by Lightnin' Hopkins. The album closes with a cover of Shane MacGowan's
Shane MacGowan
Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan is an Irish musician and singer, best known as the original singer and songwriter of The Pogues.-History:...
"Pair of Brown Eyes", originally performed by MacGowan's band The Pogues
The Pogues
The Pogues are a Celtic punk band, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane MacGowan. The band reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. MacGowan left the band in 1991 due to drinking problems but the band continued first with Joe Strummer and then with Spider Stacy on vocals before...
.
Peter Case was a member of Los Angeles power pop group The Nerves
The Nerves
The Nerves were a mid-'70s American power pop trio based in Los Angeles, featuring guitarist Jack Lee, bassist Peter Case, and drummer Paul Collins. All three members composed songs and sang. They managed an international tour in the U.S. and Canada, including dates with The Ramones, and...
along with Paul Collins
Paul Collins (musician)
Paul Collins is an American writer, author, music producer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known for his work in the power pop groups The Nerves, The Breakaways and The Beat.-Biography:...
(later of The Beat
The Beat (US)
The Beat , were an American rock and power pop group from Los Angeles, California that formed in the late 1970s. The Beat resurfaced in the 1990s and continues to tour and record new material as Paul Collins' Beat...
), and Jack Lee. After the breakup of the Nerves Case made several albums in the early 1980s with
The Plimsouls
The Plimsouls
The Plimsouls are an American rock band formed in Paramount, California in 1978.-Formation:Formed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Peter Case , the Plimsouls began as a trio in 1978 which included Case, bassist Dave Pahoa and drummer Louie Ramírez...
. This is his first solo album after the breakup of the Plimsouls.
The liner notes included the following unusual message:
-
- The phone rang and stirred me from a bleary-eyed reverie. I sat down, poured myself a glass of scotch and waited for the phone to ring. It rang and rang. My bags were packed and I was out on the street. Three hours and three days later and it was the imaginary man in a snake dance. The recipe: the kid said he'd been standing on the same corner for a thousand nights. I haven't seen him for a while, guess nothing much came of it - hope he's alright. Once you get used to it - it's too bad.
- The phone rang and stirred me from a bleary-eyed reverie. I sat down, poured myself a glass of scotch and waited for the phone to ring. It rang and rang. My bags were packed and I was out on the street. Three hours and three days later and it was the imaginary man in a snake dance. The recipe: the kid said he'd been standing on the same corner for a thousand nights. I haven't seen him for a while, guess nothing much came of it - hope he's alright. Once you get used to it - it's too bad.
-
- Rain soaked boots and a bad cough led to the youthful deportee. She said she knew Rants & Charlie James. So all I had was some faded flowers, an empty bottle and a broken phonograph record. Maybe some thank yous would be in order. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
- Rain soaked boots and a bad cough led to the youthful deportee. She said she knew Rants & Charlie James. So all I had was some faded flowers, an empty bottle and a broken phonograph record. Maybe some thank yous would be in order. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
-
- I guess there's someone somewhere in a big room with a bright light and a heat lamp and a stamp collection and a stethoscope and they're checking out their own heartbeat - checking on the heartbeat of this grand and glorious land - yep I guess so.
- I guess there's someone somewhere in a big room with a bright light and a heat lamp and a stamp collection and a stethoscope and they're checking out their own heartbeat - checking on the heartbeat of this grand and glorious land - yep I guess so.
-
- My sister told me on the phone she heard someone on the radio singing about small towns in America. I said I didn't know any songs about America - these songs are about sin and salvation. Have fun.
- Love, Peter Case
- My sister told me on the phone she heard someone on the radio singing about small towns in America. I said I didn't know any songs about America - these songs are about sin and salvation. Have fun.
Track listing
All songs written by Peter Case except where noted.- "Echo Wars" - Burnett, Case
- "Steel Strings"
- "Three Days Straight" – Burnett, Case
- "More Than Curious" – Burnett, Case
- "I Shook His Hand"
- "Small Town Spree"
- "Old Blue Car" – Case, Etzioni, Williams
- "Walk In the Woods"
- "Horse and Crow"
- "Icewater" - words by Case, music by Lightnin' HopkinsLightnin' HopkinsSam John Hopkins better known as Lightnin’ Hopkins, was an American country blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional pianist, from Houston, Texas...
- "Satellite Beach" – Burnett, Case
- "Pair of Brown Eyes" – Shane MacGowanShane MacGowanShane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan is an Irish musician and singer, best known as the original singer and songwriter of The Pogues.-History:...
Musicians
Peter Case, Rusty AndersonRusty Anderson
Rusty Anderson is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter and music producer. He is best known as lead guitarist with Paul McCartney, though he has worked with an extensive list of artists in addition to his own solo career.-Early life:Rusty Anderson grew up in La Habra, California...
, Jorge Bermudez, J. Henry Burnett, Mike Campbell, Mitchell Froom
Mitchell Froom
-Career:Froom began his career as a keyboard player in Sonoma County, California. The band Crossfire featured two keyboards players; Mitchell on one side of the stage and brother David on the other with Gary Pihl on guitar...
, Richard Green, John Hiatt
John Hiatt
John Hiatt is an American rock guitarist, pianist, singer, and songwriter. He has played a variety of musical styles on his albums, including New Wave, blues and country. Hiatt has been nominated for several Grammy Awards - although he has never won- and has been awarded a variety of other...
, Jim Keltner
Jim Keltner
James Lee "Jim" Keltner is an American drummer known primarily for his session work. He has contributed to the work of many well-known artists...
, Armon Rsadjikian, Warren "Tornado" Klein, Roger McGuinn
Roger McGuinn
James Roger McGuinn is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for being the lead singer and lead guitarist on many of The Byrds' records...
, Jerry Marotta
Jerry Marotta
Jerry Marotta is a drummer currently residing in Woodstock, New York. He is the brother of Rick Marotta, who is also a well-known drummer and composer....
, David Minor, Gurf Morlix
Gurf Morlix
Gurf Morlix is an American multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter and record producer residing for many years in Austin, Texas. He has worked with many of the best known performers of Americana and alternative country music. His most notable works include albums by Lucinda Williams, Robert...
, Van Dyke Parks
Van Dyke Parks
Van Dyke Parks is an American composer, arranger, producer, musician, singer, author and actor. Parks is perhaps best known for his contributions as a lyricist on the Beach Boys album Smile....
, Phast Phreddie, Tim Pierce, Jerry Scheff
Jerry Scheff
Jerry Obern Scheff is an American bassist, perhaps best known for his work with Elvis Presley in the early 1970s as a member of his TCB Band and his work on The Doors' final recordings....
, Fred Tackett
Fred Tackett
Fred Tackett, an American native of Arkansas, is an accomplished songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Originally a session player on guitar, mandolin, and trumpet, he is best known for his longevity as a member of the band Little Feat....
and Victoria Williams
Victoria Williams
Victoria Williams is an American singer-songwriter and musician, originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, although she has resided in Southern California throughout her musical career. She is noted for her descriptive songwriting talent, which she has used to immerse the listener of her songs into a...
.
Additional Personnel
Produced by J. Henry Burnett except "Echo Wars", "Steel Strings". "More Than Curious", and "Old Blue Car" which were produced by J. Henry Burnett and Mitchell Froom.Assistant engineers: Thom Panunzio
Thom Panunzio
Thom Panunzio grew up in River Edge, New Jersey not too far from Manhattan. He began his career as an audio engineer originally working at Record Plant Studios in New York. There he met, Jimmy Iovine, and started his career working with John Lennon...
, Bob Hickey, Bill Jackson, Stephen Shelton, David Glover, Judy Clapp, Bob Luftus, Steve McMillan, Dave Ahlert and Steve Himelfarb.
Recorded at Ocean Way Recording, Sunset Sound Factory, Capitol
Recorders
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, and Eagle Audio, Fort Worth, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
Mixed at Sunset Sound Factory by Larry Kalman Hirsch except "Icewater" mixed by J. Henry Burnett at Sunset Sound Factory.
Originally mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, NYC.
External Links
^Official site^Peter Case on MySpace
^Peter Case on Facebook
^Peter Case on ArtistDirect