Comments on Naive Harmonies: STACKS: Emitt Rhodes

Thanks for putting Emitt's story in context. It is...

2010-02-19T01:00:23.937-05:00

Thanks for putting Emitt's story in context. It is heartbreaking in so many ways. I'm not sure I want to even listen to the latest interview. I can only hope that the new album he's working on will brighten his outlook somewhat.

As for the music, there is just so much good between the MGR (don't neglect their incredible non-LP singles "Listen! Listen!" and "She Laughed Loud"), The American Dream and the first two Dunhill albums ("Love Will Stone You" from Mirror may be his greatest Dunhill track).

Every few years, I make a sincere effort to get into Farewell to Paradise, but it just doesn't work for me. It's not the depressing vibe as much as it is that Emitt pretty well abandons his greatest strengths, harmonies and great melodies, on it.

We can only hope that he recaptures some of that magic on the new album.

Thanks Reid! Really, if any readers out there are ...

2010-02-18T10:51:28.602-05:00

Thanks Reid! Really, if any readers out there are curious to learn more, they should check out EmittRhodesMusic.net, where the story is told in more detail. My main motivation this week was to provide a link to the interview and provide some semblance of context. As such, this probably isn't the best introduction to Emitt's music per se. If you listen to the interview, you'll get a nice sampling of tunes, with a heavy emphasis on that amazing self-titled record. The only reason why I chose not to share anything from that one was b/c it seems to get a decent amount of attention already.

As far as the other albums go, while none of them quite match the self titled, there are certainly some fantastic moments scattered throughout. The American Dream album serves very much as a companion to the s/t; the highlights from that could easily have slid on to the s/t and fit in quite nicely. These two are Emitt at his poppiest and most accessible.

I really love Mirror as well, but it took me a bit longer to appreciate. It's a lot more rockier, and it varies stylistically. Farewell To Paradise is definitely the weakest of the four, but shouldn't be given short shrift either. It's a far cry from the McCartney/Rundgren-esque stylings of the s/t album, but it still amazes me to hear this stuff and remember that he was responsible for every sound you hear! You can really hear the disillusionment set in on Farewell To Paradise too. I just enjoy hearing the transition from album to album, even though the arc of the story is kind of depressing (not from a quality or talent drop off stand point, but more the obvious aforementioned disillusionment).

The Merry-Go-Round stuff is also worthy of investigation. Their two singles are the clear highlights (You're A Very Lovely Woman and Live) and the first signs of an immense talent. Their lone album was essentially cobbled together by the label and hence has the imaginative title of "You're A Very Lovely Woman/Live"!

Wow...another fantastic article. I only have his s...

2010-02-17T21:07:06.282-05:00

Wow...another fantastic article. I only have his s/t first record. Do I need the other ones?

Not surprised you stuck to his handsome, youthful pictures and didn't put up one of his more recent shots.