Title - It Sure Looked Good On Paper: Steve Goodman Demos
Artist - Steve Goodman
For those unaware, there is no denying Steve Goodmans impact on the world of songwriting.
Omnivore Recordings 2019 reissues of his 1980s Red Pajamas Records efforts contained a flurry of demo recordings drawn from that era.
Live 69 demonstrated his early career abilities as an expert interpreter of other writers songs. But the genesis of Steve Goodman, the songwriter, and the legend he would become has not been as well documented. Until now.
It Sure Looked Good on Paper: The Steve Goodman Demos, due May 14th, 2021 from Omnivore, presents an unparalleled look into Goodmans two-decade career from a songwriting and an in the studio perspective, before the world lost the Chicago-bred singer-songwriter when he was far too young at age 36, in 1984.
Luckily, the recordings of his thoughts and works in progress live on.
1. City of New Orleans
2. The Sun & the Bridge
3. Climb the Hills to Dale
4. Jazzman
5. Hands on Time
6. Eight Ball Blues
7. Would You Like to Learn to Dance
8. Turnpike Tom
9. Ballad of Paul Powell
10. Yellow Coat
11. You Never Even Call Me by My Name
12. The Dutchman
13. Song for David
14. Kiss Me Goodbye Again
15. The Auctioneer
16. Six Pack
17. Dead Men Dont Wear Paid
18. Face on the Cutting Room Floor
19. It Sure Looked Good on Paper
20. The Water Is Wide
From demos of the now classic foot tapper City of New Orleans and You Never Even Call Me by My Name to early versions of The Auctioneer, written by Leroy Van Dyke and Buddy Black and the traditional The Water Is Wide, It Sure Looked Good on Paper: The Steve Goodman Demos finds Goodman artistically exploring.
Also included are tracks for film projects including Face on the Cutting Room Floor, written for the Steve Martin comedy Dead Men Dont Wear Plaid, co-penned with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Bands Jimmy Ibbotson, and later covered by that band; and Six Pack, written for the soundtrack for the 1980 Kurt Russell vehicle Used Cars.
Neither submission made it to the final feature, but it is enticing to imagine a Kenny Rogers version of Six Pack, as it was Rogers for whom this demo was intended.
Also included in this quite wondrous new package are tracks such as the beautifully dulcet The Sun & The Bridge, the profound workmanship of Jazzman, the intricate, ornate at times, and always melodic Turnpike Tom, and others such as the gentle hipsway of The Dutchman, the concentrated values of Kiss Me Goodbye Again, and, of course, the brilliant title track (which has a delightful, spoken word intro about how it was not a finished item at that point).
The CD and gatefold double-LP contain new liner notes by Lee Zimmerman, and photos from the Goodman family archive, provided by Steves daughter, Rosanna, who was involved in every step of this fitting tribute to her fathers genius.
It Sure Looked Good on Paper: The Steve Goodman Demos benefits from the restoration and mastering of Grammy-winning engineer Michael Graves, teaming again with Grammy-winning producer Cheryl Pawelski, who compiled this new collection of all previously unissued tracks.
From Zimmermans liner notes: Clearly, Goodman did not mince words, and now, getting to hear each of these songs in a decidedly different context or for the first time, allows for variety and variation in appreciating Goodmans body of work.
Here, fans and followers can celebrate the fact that these songs not only looked good on paper, but also resonated in the studio, and some, out in the world and down through time. And they affirm the fact that the good in Goodman was clearly great as well.
Omnivore Steve Goodman Demos Trailer
Official CD Purchase Link
www.omnivorerecordings.com