[FM] CD REVIEW: Eric "Red" Schwartz - "Pleading the First, songs my mother hates"

[Alan Rowoth]

Remember the cartoon character, Ricochet Rabbit? (I'm dating myself now...)
That's who Eric Schwartz reminds me of. Just when you think you've figured
him out, he's doing something else. I'm a big fan of his pop stuff, like
the instant classic "Is it Wrong? (To want to be loved by someone as lovely
as you)" He's always spiced his sets with some funnier stuff like "Hattie
and Mattie", but this batch of songs go beyond the bounds of what you'd
hear at your typical family folk festival.

Apparently released by Eric's Evil Twin "Red", this album is a collection
of but one facet of the energetic and multitalented Schwartz. It is a
*very* irreverent look at a panoply of modern stereotypes. Only in one song
does he ever touch the seven words you can't say on television, yet Eric
sharply prods and lampoons about every stripe of individual that you can
imagine. Be warned, listeners without a sense of humor need not apply. If
you don't like to laugh at yourself and the foibles of others, you aren't
going to enjoy this thrill ride.

The 16 cuts are exuberantly delivered in a patchwork quilt of musical
styles running the gamut from country, jazz, pop, swing, blues, pop, and
classical. All are melodically infectious and guaranteed to having you
humming something embarrassing the next time you're trapped in an elevator
with a bunch of strangers. ("That shirt's too gay for straight guys, it is
NOT too gay for YOU. Come out of the closet!")

Aside from the lead cut, the blistering anthem of just retribution, "Who Da
Bitch Now?" which features guest appearances by Bob Malone, Jeff St.
Pierre, and Phil Antoniades; all the songs are performed solo and live in
concert by Eric on guitar or piano. With an unrepentant irreverence, the
hyperactive Schwartz careens, mugs, and hams his way thru 42 minutes of
hilarity, to the obvious delight of his audience. No collection of
intellectual esoterica, one need not be a Harvard grad to decode these
lyrics. "Red" paints with broad strokes and leaves no tern unstoned in his
effort to mine maximum effect from his subjects. My mom probably would have
loved these songs, but I'm equally sure that my father would not be amused.
The production is transparent, never standing in the way of the material.

Another favorite cut of mine is called "Charliesomething" and reframes
Charles Schultz's "Peanuts" gang as the kind of folks you see on your
average episode of Jerry Springer. For example

"Pigpen O.D.'ed (was just a matter of time)
He couldn't keep a job on account of the grime
And he couldn't face a future of small town crime no more"

The other beloved characters each walk the plank in their own way.

In "I Swear She Said She was Eighteen", the singer pleads,

"Most gracious judge your honor, your justice will prevail
I admit I was upon her, but kindly hear my tale
The innocent in question is one Mary-Joe McGee
But when she undressed, at her own behest, She got the best of me
Now how could I have prophesied by the lovely way she looked
That the little lambchop's tenderloin was slightly undercooked?"

It goes on and on, culminating with the hidden track tribute to Whitney
Houston, so funny I nearly pulled my car over onto the shoulder.
Unquestionably clever, I still get embarrassed laughing at some of this
stuff. This record makes me feel like a 14 year old (but in a good way...)
Despite the lack of redeeming social value, if you can live with yourself
for laughing, you're going to have a good time with this CD.

The verdict on "Pleading the First"? Guilty as charged. The defendant is
sentenced to 6 months in the CD player with no time off for misbehavior.

The CD is self released on Eric's Claritone label and available from
CDFreedom at http://www.cdfreedom.com/ericschwartz or by calling
1-800-937-3397. Eric's own page is located at http://www.ericschwartz.com.




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==============================================================================
Alan Rowoth          | "It was like the whole world was a big hourglass
alan@folkmusic.org   |  Top is like the future, bottom like the past
315.457.0310 ext 143 |  And at that narrow part, where only one grain can pass
Liverpool Public Lib.|  Is the ever-living moment
310 Tulip Street     |  And I want to understand
Liverpool NY 13088   |     That simple grain of sand."
708-570-6529 alan fax|                       "Big Hourglass" - LJ Booth