‘Playing For Keeps’ represents Eddie Money’s third album, caught between two excellent book-ends: 1978’s ‘Life For The Taking’ and 1982’s ‘No Control’.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Eddie Money
ALBUM: Playing For Keeps
LABEL: Columbia
SERIAL: FC 36514
YEAR: 1980
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Eddie Money – lead and backing vocals * David Lewark, Greg Douglas, Jimmy Lyon – guitars * Bob Glaub, Kenny Lewis, Lonnie Turner – bass * Randy Nichols – keyboards, backing vocals * Carmine Appice, Gary Mallaber – drums, percussion * Emilio Castillo, Steve (The Doctor) Kupka – horns * John Nelson – slide guitar * Valerie Carter – vocal duet (#7) * Ron Nevison – production, backing vocals * Angelo Arcuri, Julia Tillman Waters, Marti McCall, Maureen McCormick, Myrna Matthews – backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Trinidad * 02 Running Back * 03 The Wish * 04 Get A Move On * 05 When You Took My Heart * 06 Satin Angel * 07 Let’s Be Lovers Again * 08 Nobody Knows * 09 Million Dollar Girl
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Eddie Money’s origins can be read about fairly easily online, and here at GDM through some articles we’ve written about before. ‘Playing For Keeps’ represents Eddie Money’s third album, caught between two excellent book-ends: 1978’s ‘Life For The Taking’ and 1982’s ‘No Control’.
Produced by Ron Nevison, this set is mostly good pop/radio rockers with an excellent support cast. Columbia Records were all over the PR for this guy, and along with a steady stream of gigs mostly around the Bay Area, it was a pretty easy sell in the age of FM-radio.
The Songs
‘Trinidad’ opens the album’s account. A mid-paced tune with a slightly British feel. ‘Running Back’ takes a surprising dip into reggae territory. If you were fan of Third World or Toots And The Maytals this could possibly appeal, but other than that, press the skip button.
‘The Wish’ is a great track, a huge influence being Bad Company. Now we’re talking. Tell me Paul Rodgers isn’t hiding in the back corner of the studio? The bouncy ‘Get A Move On’ was featured on the soundtrack to the movie ‘Americathon’. Yep, you were probably wondering.. I’ve never heard of that movie either!
The jangly ‘When You Took My Heart’ is a mid-west melting moment, really liked this one. ‘Satin Angel’ on the other hand is a more robust, working class blue collar affair. The ballad ‘Let’s Be Lovers Again’ with Valerie Carter on duet vocals is a pleasant outing and adds more melody to the album’s quota.
‘Nobody Knows’ is more working class mayhem, in the vein of Michael Stanley Band, which I’m sure will interest many here. The album finishes up with the enjoyable ‘Million Dollar Girl’, with some great lyrics and a delivery similar to Bob Seger And The Silver Bullet Band.
Production wise, I can hear some of the elements which appear on Nevison’s work with Survivor a few years later, especially the drum work.
In Summary
Without doubt, this is a surprisingly underrated affair, with a solid Ron Nevison production. Ten tracks all worthy of investigation, maybe nine if you discount the reggae throwaway ‘Running Back’ which really shouldn’t be here. If you have the 2014 Rock Candy reissue, drag it out for a spin this week and get reacquainted with the Money-Man.
Eddie Money on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
