Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Van Duren: A Lost Masterpiece?



I've known about Van Duren for years, maybe since the late 80's, but that is still ten years after "Are You Serious" was released. His name would pop up occasionally when discussing power pop, and at some point, I think I carried an import CD at my shop. But I have no recollection of ever hearing the record and up until a few weeks ago, I couldn't tell you what it sounded like.

I found a sealed vinyl copy in one of my boxes at storage and while it was tempting to slap a $50 tag on it and put it on display at my next record show, temptation got the best of me and I ripped it open. I have no regrets.



Maybe you've been listening to Van Duren since it came out in 1977. Or maybe, like me, you had never heard a note. Either way, this record, along with the new Todd Rundgren record, has occupied most of my time for the last week or so. "Are You Serious" is no novelty, like so many power pop records tend to be. Van Duren comes from that small group of Memphis power pop musicians that gave us The Scruffs and of course, Big Star. (Jody Stephens co-wrote one track here.) And though each song will make you think of Big Star or Emitt Rhodes or Eric Carmen or Paul McCartney or Badfinger, this is one wholly original piece of work. This record is killing me.









7 comments:

Shriner said...

Yup -- this is a good one. Turned on to the guy from Borack's Top 200 book. All 3 of his albums are really good, but this one is probably the best.

whattawino said...

This is Fab! New to me...Thanks for opening, Sal.

Jim H. said...

i remember reading a tiny review in '77, in Hit Parader magazine, and somehow searched and found it in the Philly suburbs whilst still in high school in the later 70s......great stuff, more polished than the Scruffs to me, but really melodic, memorable songs...thanks for reminding me!!!!

buzzbabyjesus said...

This is what I hoped the Lemon Twigs sounded like.

Dr Wu said...

Was just listening to this album in amazement, wondering why I'd never heard of this artist. Never until I looked at your posted rotation roster. Thank you for turning me on to this. Lost masterpiece indeed, sir!

whattawino said...

I have to say that this record is killing me, KILLING ME!...OK, that being said, I also highly recommend you checking out Idiot Optimism which was recorded in 1978-'79 but not released until 1999. It is also a KILLER with a fine-ass group of musicians that you'd
certainly know contributing....I'm looking at you, Sal Maida! Great record.

Dave said...

This is beautiful stuff. Thanks, Sal.