WORKING CLASS DOGS : A Tribute To Rick Springfield
“WORKING CLASS DOGS : A Tribute To Rick Springfield” celebrates the music of one of melodic rock’s most talented songwriters. Rick hits are performed by the likes of Eric Martin (Mr Big), James Christian (House Of Lords), 7th Heaven, Steve Newman, Mitch Malloy, Gary Schutt (Jeff Scott Soto band), Eric Ragno, Vic Rivera (Ted Poley, Adriangale), Vinny Burns (Dare, Ten, Burns Blue) and many more.
The big question is not ‘why pay tribute to Rick Springfield?’, but rather ‘why did it take so long for someone to do so?’ And when you consider some of the many other tribute albums that have hit the market in recent years, and with Rick’s record of 17 Top 40 hits, it is a confounding question indeed.
Thankfully all has been put right with this first ever tribute to one of melodic rock’s most accomplished singer / musician / songwriters.
Most the tracks were recorded several years ago, with a shorter track list planned to be released back in a day by Fastlane Records. But never happened.
The second stage saw 5 more tracks recently taped, added to the previously unreleased set into the perfect running order giving the listener a truly wild ride, and results in one of the best and most consistent tribute albums ever.
No one sounds like Rick Springfield. But many love to play his songs. And this tribute to Rick Springfield brings together a whole range of artists to do just that.
Many have admired the artist from afar, but several others have actually worked closely with Rick. Case in point is Rick’s own live backing band appearing on the rocking track “Kristina”.
And friend and long-time collaborator Jeff Silverman appears alongside AOR legend James Christian on the original RS/JS tune “Right Planet Wrong World”.
A true indication of a song’s brilliance is that it will translate into other genres without losing any of its original charm. That’s exactly what happens here.
All of the songs on this album have been updated and contemporized, but none of them have lost any of their original magic.
You have the rapid fire rocking live feel on several tracks like “Love Somebody”, “Living In Oz”, “Jessie’s Girl”.
Then the polished and mature AOR of “Stranger In My House” (featuring talented AOR group Hardway with cult vocalist Thom Griffin) and “Right Planet Wrong World”; the heartfelt “Beautiful You” and even the Americana tinged “What Kind Of Fool Am I” (performed by Taylor Swift’s touring guitarist/vocalist Paul Sidoti).
And of course the raw energy of “Souls” with a terrific performance by Mr. Big vocalist Eric Martin, the very good band 7th Heaven doing a great version of “Affair Of The Heart”, or power-pop melodic rockers genius Waltham covering “Light Of Love”.
Other artists involved include one man band Gary Schutt (Jeff Scott Soto band), Mitch Malloy, Eric Ragno, Vic Rivera (Adriangale, Ted Poley), Steve Newman and British guitarist Vinny Burns (Dare, Ten, Burns Blue).
Great performances are needed of course, but at the heart of the matter are some of the best songs Rick Springfield has ever written.
This tribute album has something for all Rick fans, no matter what the era. And what other tribute album can boast the center of attraction giving it his seal of approval.
Rick Springfield said: “What a cool tribute. I like the song choices and the versions still retain a lot of the original vibe, but have definitely been updated. These versions are a lot more like how we now play the songs live. Great work everyone!”
The album has become very hard to find, being sold for over $300.
Highly Recommended
01 – Waltham – Light Of Love
02 – American Anthem – Jessies Girl
03 – Handsome Devil – Love Somebody
04 – Gary Schutt – Carry Me Away
05 – Cj Szuter – I Get Excited
06 – The Meddling Kids – I’ve Done Everything For You
07 – Tom Cinefro & The Rick Springfield Band – Kristina
08 – Eric Martin & Vic Rivera – Souls
09 – Hardway w/Thom Griffin – Stranger In My House
10 – James Christian & Jeff Silverman – Right Planet Wrong World
11 – 7th Heaven – Affair Of The Heart
12 – Steve Newman & Vinny Burns – Human Touch
13 – Brand New Machine – Calling All Girls
14 – Keith LuBrant – Rock Of Life
15 – Paul A. Sidoti – What Kind Of Fool Am I
16 – Mitch Malloy & Vinny Burns – Tear It All Down
17 – Barely Pink – Don’t Talk To Strangers
18 – Fig – Wasted
19 – Clay Howard – Beautiful You
20 – Endway – Living In Oz
Try here:
www.amazon.com/Working-Class-Dogs-Tribute-Springfield/dp/B007Z8I2GY
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Any chance of a reup here?
Sure. Sorry for the late, your comment ended into the spam section.
Very strong selection of Rick Springfield’s covers. Although there is a slight confusion: the track “I’ve Done Everything For You” is named “Kristina”, and “Kristina” is called … “I’ve Done Everything For You”. Otherwise, everything is fine. Thanks!..
But I want to listen to albums of Rick Springfield himself too. From the classic albums of ’80s, which were remastered by Rock Candy, I could download from 0DAYROX only “Rock of Life”. “Tao” I found on another site. I beg you to update the links to “Working Class Dog” and “Living in Oz”.
Although the Google Translator connecting people, I feel that I’m not writing well. It’s very difficult for me. Sorry for my bad English. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
You’re very welcome. Don’t worry, your English is fine, feel free to request anything. Rick’s albums coming up.