Artist: Garland Jeffreys Album: 14 Steps To Harlem Bitrate: 242kbps avg Quality: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.98.4 / -V0 / 44.100Khz Label: Luna Park Records Genre: Rock Size: 83.27 megs PlayTime: 0h 45min 21sec total Rip Date: 2017-05-13 Store Date: 2017-04-28 Track List: -------- 01. When You Call My Name 3:33 02. Schoolyard Blues 3:15 03. 14 Steps To Harlem 5:01 04. Venus 3:48 05. Reggae On Broadway 3:52 06. Time Goes Away 3:19 07. Spanish Heart 3:50 08. I'm A Dreamer 4:32 09. Waiting For The Man 4:29 10. Help 3:43 11. Colored Boy Said 3:09 12. Luna Park Love Theme 2:50 Release Notes: -------- Those who lamented the disappearing act of Garland Jeffreys, one of rockÆs most compelling voices, must feel that his recent surge in activity (this is his third set since 2011 ù the same total he racked up in the 15-year span from 1983-æ97), decidedly removes him from the where-is-he-now dustbin. Better still, the 73-year-old singer-songwriterÆs burst of activity shows him in fine fighting form with music that continues exploring his past, a consistent theme throughout his career but even more pertinent as he enters his final stretch. As this albumÆs title implies, and anyone who has followed his career knows, Jeffreys is a distinctively New York City-based artist. The locale is as much a part of his overall vibe as it was to his longtime friend Lou Reed, whose ôIÆm Waiting for My Manö he covers here in a tough, street-worthy performance. ReedÆs wife Laurie Anderson contributes subtle violin to the sweet closing ballad ôLuna Part Love Theme.ö The wiry island lope of ôReggae on Broadwayö combines JeffreysÆ gritty NYC rasta approach ù something he has brought to each of his albums ù with his story of the ClashÆs Joe Strummer coming to see him play when that band was in town. JeffreysÆ multi-cultural racial mix (Puerto Rican/black/white) has always provided lyrical fodder for his music and that continues in this discÆs emotional ballad ôIÆm a Dreamerö (ôWhen I was growing up in Brooklyn town/ all my friends were black, white and brownö), the jaunty/pop radio-ready love song to his wife/manager in ôSpanish Heart,ö and the bluesy lope to ôColored Boy Saidö (ôI got a president who looks like meö). While JeffreysÆ lyrics occasionally edge toward one-dimensional (ôOh family is the greatest thing ever inventedö ù did someone invent family?) in the reflective, equally simplistically titled ôTime Goes Away,ö his supple voice is immediately recognizable. ItÆs his calling card, as youthful now as it was on his 1973 debut, and it gets him through some of the clunky passages. A beautifully and creatively rearranged take of The BeatlesÆ ôHelpö with perfectly placed accordion is not only a highlight, but one of the most moving, emotionally scarred versions of that seldom covered track. And even though we could use a few more tough, switchblade rockers like the opening ôWhen You Call My Name,ö and the roaring back-alley bluesy rockabilly of ôSchoolyard Blues,ö complete with pummeling Little Walter styled distorted harmonica, Jeffreys is clearly energized here. HeÆs unlikely to top 1977Æs still-classic Ghost Writer or 1981Æs Escape Artist breakthrough (recorded with members of the E Street Band, Graham ParkerÆs Rumour and Reed guesting) anytime soon. But if Garland Jeffreys can keep cranking out music with the quality, hard-bitten authenticity and integrity of the impressive 14 Steps to Harlem, perhaps he can attract new fans to explore his earlier work while he makes up for lost time.