John David Souther - John David Souther

Debut from Eagle writer who never quite soared on his own

Is it good or bad that so many of the tracks on this album sound as though they could be Eagles songs? Of course, one of them actually became an Eagles song (How Long) and Souther co-wrote several other Eagle classics, including Best Of My Love and New Kid In Town. This should give a fairly clear idea of the kind of territory this eponymous album occupies.

Souther was a ubiquitous figure in the SoCal music scene of the early 70s, his name coupled with that of Glenn Frey (in their duo Longbranch Pennywhistle), Linda Ronstadt (as lover and, apparently, emotional tormentor), and Chris Hillman and Richey Furay (as one third of Souther Hillman Furay).

Mainly, though, he appears in the histories of that time and place as a prolific songwriter who never quite made it on his own and wasn’t interested in making it with anyone else. This was his debut solo album – if solo is the correct term, given the team of supporting musicians such as John Barbata (drums), Ned Doheny (guitar), Glenn Frey (piano) and Gib Guilbeau (fiddle) – and it’s very good. There’s a variety of genres and tempos, the playing is great, the songs well made and the work hangs together cohesively. He would have made a great Eagle.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

Rhino | 8122-79906-1

Reviewed by Tim Holmes
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