A break from the soundtracks

Happy Pi Approximation Day!

Prior to his solo career, Richard Barone fronted Hoboken, NJ new wavers The Bongos who had a minor hit with Numbers With Wings. His first solo album, a low-key live recording called Cool Blue Halo (1987) featured nice performances of the Beatles' Cry Baby Cry and Bowie's The Man Who Sold the World.

In 1990 he released Primal Dream, the second of his 4 solo albums. The third, Clouds Over Eden came out in '93 and Between Heaven and Cello (a live recording with cellist Jane Scarpantoni who appeared on CBH and PD) was released in '97.

Seems I totally missed hearing about a spate of Bongos reunion shows a couple of years ago. Reports are that were very cool. There's also much love for Bongos back catalogue reissues.

When Primal Dream was released, it went into heavy rotation on my walkman (though it did not enamour me of the Bongos, though I went back and listened to them at the time and still was not grabbed, despite their fine critical appraisal), and didn't come off for about 2 years.

I recall that Clouds Over Eden was quite beautiful, but it didn't have the punch of songs like Opposites Attracting and River to River. Barone handles slow and beautiful as well, exemplified by a sweet cover of VU's I'll Be Your Mirror.

Enjoy Primal Dream (RS/320)!