Rick Springfield - Stripped Down .jpg)
Loud & Proud Records
http://loudandproudrecords.com/releases/stripped-down/
Rating: B
Women love him and guys are jealous of him... that pretty much sums up the cultural aspect of the career of Rick Springfield! The guy STILL looks good! I base that statement on the outpouring of female fan emotion from Rick’s audience when watching the DVD from the CD/DVD combination release from Loud & Proud Records, titled Stripped Down... it's easy to see that he's still got it.
Okay, let's get down to brass tacks... some people, usually men, have never given Springfield any respect. Sure, the guy was not a real doctor, but he played one on TV. Sure, Springfield is not a virtuoso musician. He has never even claimed that his music is overtly unique, or anything more than basically pop rock.
This is music for a pop loving, over forty-something audience who all purchased Working Class Dog back in the early 1980s. The songs are special to Rick and his fans and, you know what? Some of them are downright infectious, complete with memorable hooks and hummable melodies.
For the past couple of years, Rick has been performing with his acoustic, sitting on a barstool, singing away... and between tunes, telling stories and giving out tidbits of behind the scenes info to his rabidly loyal fan base. It's a good gig for Rick, and his fans love reliving the days of their youth.
Loud & Proud Records has released a CD/DVD combination concert film featuring Rick Springfield up close and personal. Springfield comments about the album in the press release, “I am pretty excited for Loud & Proud Records’ CD/DVD release of Stripped Down. The conception and execution of my solo “Storytellers” show is something I basically worked on my whole life and it’s awesome to bring the finished product to the fans who embraced it with the sold out shows across America in 2014. Now, if you can’t make it to one of my 2015 Stripped Down dates live, you can enjoy it in the comfort of your own living room… naked, if you want.”
Tom Lipsky, President of Loud & Proud Records adds, “The songs are memorable, the performances are compelling and the interaction between Rick and his fans throughout Stripped Down is truly genuine. This is why Rick Springfield continues to be as relevant today as ever. We are excited to be his label partner.”
While "Jessie's Girl" is his best known song, there were plenty more hits. The Sammy Hagar composed "I've Done Everything For You" is a highlight of the concert while other notable tunes such as "Affair of the Heart," "Human Touch" and "Don't Talk to Strangers" are all performed well. The stripped down versions take a few seconds to get used to, but once you’re kicked back and cozy, then the charm of the unplugged style of Rick Springfield comes across loud and clear. Springfield is proud of his tunes and he really does put a lot of his heart and soul into his songwriting and performance. Lipsky nailed it when he said 'genuine.' One won't be jaw-dropped with his musical talent, yet even the most jaded guitarist must admit Springfield has come catchy hooks.
This one is mostly for his biggest fans, but given the opportunity, Stripped Down will give a little bit of sugar to even his biggest detractors.
CD Tracklisting:
Affair Of The Heart (4:23)
Love Is Alright Tonite (3:47)
I’ve Done Everything For You (2:47)
Painted Girl (2:14)
Oh Well (1:57)
Love Somebody (2:43)
Baby Blue (3:39)
Rollin’ & Tumblin’ (3:21)
If Wishes Were Fishes (4:55)
Don’t Talk To Strangers (2:46)
April 24th, 1981/My Father’s Chair (6:36)
Me & Johnny (4:09)
Human Touch (2:26)
Jessie’s Girl (3:10)
DVD Tracklisting:
Affair of the Heart
Me & Johnny
Oh Well
Love is Alright Tonite
Rollin’ & Tumblin’
Baby Blue
Painted Girl
April 24, 1981 / My Father’s Chair
If Wishes Were Fishes
Love Somebody
Our Ships Sinking
Jessie’s Girl
Human Touch
My Depression (credits only)
By Jeb Wright
