Live It Up (David Johansen album)

Last updated
Live It Up
Live It Up (David Johansen album).jpg
Live album by
ReleasedJune 1982
RecordedFebruary 4–5, 1982
Genre Rock
Length44:58
Label Blue Sky
Producer Ron Nevison
David Johansen chronology
Here Comes the Night
(1981)
Live It Up
(1982)
Sweet Revenge
(1984)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
The Village Voice A− [2]

Live It Up, released in 1982, was the first live album released by David Johansen as a solo artist. Johansen did release a limited and promotional live album, The David Johansen Group Live in 1978, but the album was not officially released until 1993. [3] Additionally, by the time Live It Up was released, various Bootleg recordings of Johansen's first band, the New York Dolls, were being heavily traded (an official live album would eventually be released in 1984). The impact of the New York Dolls, as both an influential band and as a live act, was becoming a legend in the late-1970s and early-1980s when Johansen was trying to start his solo career. However, his three previous solo albums were not selling as well as expected, therefore, Johansen turned to touring and selling his stage show.

Contents

On Live It Up, Johansen performs The Foundations' classic, "Build Me Up Buttercup", the Cadets' "Stranded in the Jungle" (which was also covered by the New York Dolls [4] ) and an Animals medley, which included "We Gotta Get Out of This Place", "Don't Bring Me Down" and "It's My Life".

The only New York Dolls original recording he performs is "Personality Crisis". [5] The Johansen/Sylvain compositions “Funky But Chic” and “Frenchette”, which appeared on Johansen’s solo debut, [6] had been performed by the band in its last original phase; the former would later be recorded by the reformed Dolls, [7] while Sylvain would release "Frenchette" on his album New York's a Go Go. [8]

The album's cover art was taken during Johansen's performance for MTV's New Year's Eve Rock N' Roll Ball. [9]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."We Gotta Get Out of This Place/Don't Bring Me Down/It's My Life" Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil/Carole King, Gerry Goffin/Roger Atkins, Carl D'Errico4:23
2."Frenchette"Johansen, Sylvain Sylvain 4:53
3."Reach Out (I'll Be There)" Holland–Dozier–Holland 3:24
4."Is This What I Get for Loving You?"Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Phil Spector 3:14
5."Donna"Johansen4:25
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."Build Me Up Buttercup" Mike d'Abo, Tony Macaulay 2:43
7."Melody"Johansen, Ronnie Guy3:04
8."Funky But Chic"Johansen, Sylvain3:51
9."Bohemian Love Pad"Johansen, Sylvain2:54
10."Stranded in the Jungle"Ernestine Smith, James Johnson3:56
11."Personality Crisis"Johansen, Johnny Thunders 4:49
Total length:44:58

Personnel

Technical

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York Dolls</span> American rock band

New York Dolls were an American rock band formed in New York City in 1971. Along with the Velvet Underground and the Stooges, they were one of the first bands of the early punk rock scenes. Although the band never achieved much commercial success and their original line-up fell apart quickly, the band's first two albums—New York Dolls (1973) and Too Much Too Soon (1974)—became among the most popular cult records in rock. The line-up at this time consisted of vocalist David Johansen, guitarist Johnny Thunders, bassist Arthur Kane, guitarist and pianist Sylvain Sylvain, and drummer Jerry Nolan; the latter two had replaced Rick Rivets and Billy Murcia, respectively, in 1972. On stage, they donned an androgynous wardrobe, wearing high heels, eccentric hats, satin, makeup, spandex, and dresses. Nolan described the group in 1974 as "the Dead End Kids of today".

<i>New York Dolls</i> (album) 1973 studio album by New York Dolls

New York Dolls is the debut studio album by the American rock band New York Dolls, released on July 27, 1973, by Mercury Records. In the years leading up to the album, the Dolls had developed a local fanbase by playing regularly in lower Manhattan after forming in 1971. However, most music producers and record companies were reluctant to work with them because of their vulgarity and onstage fashion as well as homophobia in New York; the group later appeared in exaggerated drag on the album cover for shock value.

<i>Draw the Line</i> (Aerosmith album) 1977 studio album by Aerosmith

Draw the Line is the fifth studio album by American hard rock band Aerosmith, released on December 9, 1977. It was recorded between June–October in an abandoned convent near New York City. The portrait of the band on the album cover was drawn by the celebrity caricaturist Al Hirschfeld.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sylvain Sylvain</span> American guitarist (1951–2021)

Sylvain Mizrahi, known professionally as Sylvain Sylvain, was an American rock guitarist, most notable for being a member of the New York Dolls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Johansen</span> American singer (born 1950)

David Roger Johansen is an American singer, songwriter and actor. He is best known as a member of the seminal proto-punk band the New York Dolls. He is also known for his work under the pseudonym Buster Poindexter, and for playing the Ghost of Christmas Past in Scrooged.

<i>Still Crazy After All These Years</i> 1975 studio album by Paul Simon

Still Crazy After All These Years is the fourth solo studio album by Paul Simon. Recorded and released in 1975, the album produced four U.S. Top 40 hits: "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover", "Gone at Last", "My Little Town", and the title track. It won two Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 1976.

<i>Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid</i> 1993 studio album by Collective Soul

Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid is the debut studio album by American rock band Collective Soul, it was originally released on an indie label in Atlanta called Rising Storm Records in 1993, Collective Soul later signed on with Atlantic Records and the album was rereleased in 1994 under the Atlantic label. The track "Shine" gained the band attention thanks to college radio.

<i>Too Much Too Soon</i> (album) 1974 studio album by New York Dolls

Too Much Too Soon is the second album by the American hard rock band New York Dolls. It was released by Mercury Records on May 10, 1974, and recorded earlier that year at A&R Studios in New York City. Dissatisfied with the recording of their 1973 self-titled debut album, the Dolls' lead singer David Johansen enlisted veteran producer Shadow Morton to produce the sessions. Morton, who had been disenchanted by the music industry, found renewed motivation in the band's energy and undertook the project as a challenge.

<i>New Sensations</i> 1984 studio album by Lou Reed

New Sensations is the thirteenth solo studio album by American rock musician Lou Reed, released in April 1984 by RCA Records. John Jansen and Reed produced the album. New Sensations peaked at No. 56 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and at No. 92 on the UK Albums Chart. This marked the first time that Reed charted within the US Top 100 since his eighth solo studio album Street Hassle (1978), and the first time that Reed had charted in the UK since his sixth solo studio album Coney Island Baby (1976). Three singles were released from the album: "I Love You, Suzanne", "My Red Joystick" and "High in the City", with "I Love You, Suzanne" being the only single to chart, peaking at No. 78 on the UK Singles Chart. The music video for "I Love You, Suzanne" did, however, receive light rotation on MTV.

<i>In the Flesh</i> (Johnny Thunders album) 2000 live album by Johnny Thunders

In the Flesh is a posthumous live CD by punk rock guitarist/singer/songwriter Johnny Thunders. It consists of the full live set featuring a reunion of Thunders with fellow ex-New York Dolls and Heartbreakers drummer Jerry Nolan, ex-Dolls bassist Arthur "Killer" Kane, and ex-Idols & London Cowboys guitarist Barry Jones, recorded at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, California on January 4, 1987. Given Thunders' notoriety for performing in a smacked-out or alcoholic haze, this more sober and professional Thunders performance led one reviewer to declare the CD to contain "an ample track selection, generally superb performances, and surprisingly good fidelity all in one package -- a Triple Crown rarely achieved in the world of J.T. live recordings."

<i>Lipstick Killers – The Mercer Street Sessions 1972</i> 1981 compilation album by New York Dolls

Lipstick Killers – The Mercer Street Sessions 1972 is a 1981 album of demos by the New York Dolls. The album's songs were later re-recorded for New York Dolls, except for "Don't Start Me Talking" and "Human Being" which were later re-recorded for Too Much Too Soon and "Don't Mess with Cupid", which was never re-recorded.

<i>Red Patent Leather</i> 1984 live album by New York Dolls

Red Patent Leather is a live album by the American rock and roll group New York Dolls, released in 1984. It was recorded in New York a decade earlier, in March 1975, just a month before the group broke up while on tour in Florida.

<i>One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This</i> 2006 studio album by New York Dolls

One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This is the third studio album by the American hard rock band New York Dolls. It was the group's first release of original material since their 1974 album Too Much Too Soon. The album was produced by Jack Douglas and written mostly by band members David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain.

<i>Buster Poindexter</i> (album) 1987 album by David Johansen

Buster Poindexter is a self-titled album released by RCA Records in 1987 by Buster Poindexter, the alter ego of New York Dolls frontman David Johansen.

<i>Sweet Revenge</i> (David Johansen album) 1984 studio album by David Johansen

Sweet Revenge is an album by David Johansen, released in 1984. It is the only Johansen album to be released on Passport Records. It was his first album without any participation by any other former members of the New York Dolls.

<i>In Style</i> (David Johansen album) 1979 studio album by David Johansen

In Style is the second solo album by the American musician David Johansen. It was released in 1979 on Blue Sky Records.

<i>Here Comes the Night</i> (David Johansen album) 1981 studio album by David Johansen

Here Comes the Night is an album by the American musician David Johansen. Released in 1981, Blondie Chaplin produced the album.

<i>The David Johansen Group Live</i> 1978 live album by David Johansen

The David Johansen Group Live was originally a promotional-only LP released by David Johansen to help promote his solo career away from the New York Dolls. The nine tracks from the promotional LP were recorded on July 21, 1978 at the New York's The Bottom Line. In 1993, a CD was released of the full 18 songs from the 1978 concert.

Chris Robison was an American musician, songwriter and recording artist. He toured with the New York Dolls, Steam and John Lennon’s backing band, Elephant's Memory. He died in December 2021, at age 73

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trash (New York Dolls song)</span> 1973 single by New York Dolls

"Trash" is the debut single by American hard rock band the New York Dolls. It was recorded for their 1973 self-titled album and released as a double A-side with the song "Personality Crisis" in July 1973. "Trash" did not chart upon its release, but has since been hailed by music critics as an anthemic glam rock and proto-punk song. In 2009, the band recorded a reggae-styled remake of the song for their album Cause I Sez So.

References

  1. "Live It Up Review by Mark Deming". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  2. Christgau, Robert (July 6, 1982). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice.
  3. Ira Robbins & Scott Schinder. "David Johansen". Trouser Press. Trouser Press LLC.
  4. "Too Much Too Soon – New York Dolls". Allmusic. 1974.
  5. "New York Dolls – New York Dolls". Allmusic. 1973.
  6. "David Johansen – David Johansen". Allmusic. May 1978.
  7. "Dancing Backward in High Heels – New York Dolls". Allmusic. March 14, 2011.
  8. "New York's a Go Go – Sylvain Sylvain". Allmusic. September 14, 2004.
  9. Blackwood, Nina; Goodman, Mark; Hunter, Alan; Quinn, Martha (2019-05-14). VJ: The Unplugged Adventures of MTV's First Wave. Simon and Schuster. ISBN   978-1-4516-7813-0.