Up to No Good

Last updated
Up to No Good
Peter Wolf - Up to No Good.JPG
Studio album by
Released1990
Studio16th Avenue Sound and Emerald Studios (Nashville, TN); The Bennett House and The Castle (Franklin, TN).
Genre Rock, hard rock
Length43:23
Label MCA
Producer Peter Wolf, Robert White Johnson, Taylor Rhodes
Peter Wolf chronology
Come As You Are
(1987)
Up to No Good
(1990)
Long Line
(1996)

Up to No Good is the third solo album by the American musician Peter Wolf, released in 1990 on MCA Records. [1] [2]

Contents

Production

The album was produced by Wolf, Robert White Johnson, and Taylor Rhodes. [3] "Never Let It Go" is about the car crash that killed Wolf's high school girlfriend. [4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Calgary Herald C− [5]
Robert Christgau Rating-Christgau-dud.svg [6]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Ottawa Citizen Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
(The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]

The Calgary Herald missed "the juvenile appeal that Wolf lucked into just before he and his J. Geils Band buddies went their separate ways." [5] The Toronto Star wrote that "it's a charming record, a lively and knowledgeable tome that finds its ground somewhere between the Detroit and Philadelphia schools of soul, while standing firm on a harder rock footing." [9]

The Ottawa Citizen labeled some of the songs "classic primal funk with a conscience." [7] The Globe and Mail dismissed the album as "just one more attempt to capitalize on the appealing, but somewhat limited, rockaboogie sound Geils and company milked throughout the seventies." [10]

Track listing

All songs written by Peter Wolf, Taylor Rhodes and Robert White Johnson, unless noted otherwise.

  1. "99 Worlds" – 3:35
  2. "Go Wild" – 3:43
  3. "When Women Are Lonely" – 3:45
  4. "Drive All Night" (Wolf, Desmond Child) – 3:42
  5. "Up to No Good" – 4:33
  6. "Lost in Babylon" – 3:57
  7. "Arrows and Chains" – 3:25
  8. "Daydream Getaway" (Janna Allen, Wolf) – 3:44
  9. "Shades of Red – Shades of Blue" – 4:07
  10. "River Runs Dry" – 5:01
  11. "Never Let It Go" (Wolf, Will Jennings) – 3:57

Personnel

Technical personnel

Charts

Up to No Good chart performance
YearChartPosition
1990The Billboard 200 [11] 111

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The J. Geils Band</span> American rock band

The J. Geils Band was an American rock band formed in 1967, in Worcester, Massachusetts, under the leadership of guitarist John "J." Geils. The original band members included vocalist Peter Wolf, harmonica and saxophone player Richard "Magic Dick" Salwitz, drummer Stephen Bladd, vocalist/keyboardist Seth Justman, and bassist Danny Klein. Wolf and Justman served as principal songwriters. The band played R&B-influenced blues rock during the 1970s and soon achieved commercial success before moving toward a more mainstream radio-friendly sound in the early 1980s, which brought the band to its commercial peak. They performed a mix of cover songs of classic blues and R&B songs, along with original compositions written primarily by Wolf and Justman, as well as some group compositions written under the pseudonymous name Juke Joint Jimmy, representing compositions credited to the entire band as a whole. After Wolf left the band in 1983 to pursue a solo career, the band released one more album in 1984 with Justman on lead vocals, before breaking up in 1985. Beginning in 1999, the band had several reunions prior to the death of its namesake, J. Geils, on April 11, 2017.

<i>Come as You Are</i> (album) 1987 studio album by Peter Wolf

Come As You Are is the second solo album by Peter Wolf, released in 1987. "Come As You Are" was a major hit for Wolf, peaking at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for one week.

<i>Long Line</i> 1996 studio album by Peter Wolf

Long Line is the fourth solo album by Peter Wolf, released in 1996. The album marked a shift in Wolf's music from pop rock to a bluesier rock with more personal, introspective lyrics. It had been six years since the release of his previous album, the delay largely due to legal problems with his previous record company MCA. In the interim, Wolf performed gigs in the Boston area with his band Houseparty Five, who then served as the backing band on his tour for this album under the name The Street Ensemble. Rolling Stone gave Long Line four stars. "The arrangements on Long Line, with their crisp guitar licks and neatly vigorous keyboards, feel a bit slick at times. But tunes like the sparkling, hip-hop-laced "Romeo Is Dead" and the wistful "Two Loves" are bound to prove irresistible."

<i>Fools Parade</i> 1998 studio album by Peter Wolf

Fool's Parade is the fifth solo album by Peter Wolf, released in 1998. The album was named one of the Essential Recordings of the '90s by Rolling Stone's Jann Wenner.

<i>Sleepless</i> (Peter Wolf album) 2002 studio album by Peter Wolf

Sleepless is the sixth solo album by Peter Wolf, released in 2002. The album ranked 427 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

<i>Ladies Invited</i> 1973 studio album by The J. Geils Band

Ladies Invited is the fourth studio album by American rock band The J. Geils Band. The album was released in November 1973, by Atlantic Records.

<i>Sanctuary</i> (The J. Geils Band album) 1978 studio album by The J. Geils Band

Sanctuary is the eighth studio album by American rock band The J. Geils Band. The album was released in November 1978 and is the first released by EMI Records.

<i>Love Stinks</i> (album) 1980 studio album by the J. Geils Band

Love Stinks is the ninth studio album by American rock band the J. Geils Band. The album was released on January 28, 1980, by EMI Records.

<i>Freeze Frame</i> (The J. Geils Band album) 1981 album by The J. Geils Band

Freeze-Frame is the tenth studio album by American rock band the J. Geils Band, and the last one to feature original vocalist Peter Wolf. The album was released on October 26, 1981, by EMI Records. It reached number one on the United States Billboard 200 album chart in February 1982, and remained at the top for four weeks. The album featured the hit singles "Centerfold" and "Freeze Frame". "Angel in Blue" also reached the US Top 40.

<i>Showtime</i> (The J. Geils Band album) 1982 live album by The J. Geils Band

Showtime! is the third and final live album by American rock band The J. Geils Band during their career. It was recorded at the Pine Knob Music Theater in Clarkston, Michigan on September 4, 1982. While some critics consider it to be weaker than the group's two earlier live albums "Live" Full House (1972) and Blow Your Face Out (1976), this release captures the band at its commercial peak. The tracks are drawn primarily from the four studio albums released since Blow Your Face Out:Monkey Island (1977); Sanctuary (1978); Love Stinks (1980); and Freeze Frame (1981). This was the last release by the band before frontman Peter Wolf's departure in 1983.

<i>Youre Gettin Even While Im Gettin Odd</i> 1984 studio album by the J. Geils Band

You're Gettin' Even While I'm Gettin' Odd is the eleventh and final studio album by American rock band the J. Geils Band and the only one recorded without singer Peter Wolf. The band's keyboardist Seth Justman produced the album, did all the song and horn arrangements, wrote all the songs with lyrical help from Paul Justman, and provided the majority of the album's lead vocals, with drummer Stephen Jo Bladd singing lead on three tracks. Compared to the band's earlier works, which leaned towards a more live rock band sound, You're Gettin' Even While I'm Gettin' Odd emphasizes overdubbing and production. The album was released on October 5, 1984, by EMI Records.

<i>Duets</i> (Elton John album) 1993 studio album by Elton John and various artists

Duets is the first collaboration studio album by English musician Elton John, released in 1993. The album debuted at No. 7 in the UK. In the US, it peaked at number 25 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum in January 1994 by the RIAA.

<i>Dr. Johns Gumbo</i> 1972 studio album by Dr. John

Dr. John's Gumbo released in 1972 is the fifth album by New Orleans singer and pianist Dr. John, a tribute to the music of his native city. The album is a collection of covers of New Orleans classics, played by a major figure in the city's music. It marked the beginning of Dr. John's transition away from the eccentric stage character that earned him a cult following, and toward a more straightforward image based on New Orleans' R&B traditions.

<i>The Painter</i> (KC and the Sunshine Band album) 1981 studio album by KC and the Sunshine Band

The Painter is the eighth studio album by the funk and disco group KC and the Sunshine Band. Produced by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch, it was released in September 1981 on the Epic label.

<i>Blackheart Man</i> 1976 studio album by Bunny Wailer

Blackheart Man is the debut album by Bunny Wailer, originally released on 8 September 1976, in Jamaica on Solomonic Records and internationally on Island Records.

<i>Woman</i> (Mike McGear album) 1972 studio album by Michael McGear

Woman is the solo debut album by British musician Mike McGear, brother of former Beatle Paul McCartney, who also co-wrote a song, but is credited as a "friend". Roger McGough produced and co-wrote some songs with McGear. Woman was initially released on Island Records in April 1972, failing to chart though it received receptive reviews. The cover is a black-and-white photo of McGear/McCartney's mother, Mary McCartney.

<i>Missing Links Volume Three</i> 1996 compilation album by The Monkees

Missing Links Volume Three is a compilation album of rare and previously unreleased songs by the American pop rock band the Monkees, issued by Rhino Records in 1996. It is the third and final volume of a three-volume set, preceded by Missing Links in 1987 and Missing Links Volume Two in 1990.

<i>One to One</i> (Carole King album) 1982 studio album by Carole King

One to One is an album by American singer-songwriter Carole King, released in 1982. It is also the name of the accompanying concert video. The album, her twelfth, peaked at No. 119 on the Billboard 200.

<i>Midnight Souvenirs</i> 2010 studio album by Peter Wolf

Midnight Souvenirs is the seventh solo album by Peter Wolf. It won the award for Album of the Year at the 2010 Boston Music Awards, was No. 27 on Rolling Stone's list of the 30 Best Albums of 2010. It peaked at No. 45 on the Billboard 200. The album has sold 42,000 copies in the United States as of March 2016.

<i>A Cure for Loneliness</i> 2016 studio album by Peter Wolf

A Cure for Loneliness is the eighth studio album by American musician Peter Wolf. It was released on April 8, 2016, by Concord Records.

References

  1. Morse, Steve (25 Feb 1990). "Lone Wolf". The Boston Globe. p. B27.
  2. 1 2 Hunt, Dennis (29 Apr 1990). "In Brief". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 83.
  3. Milward, John (19 Apr 1990). "What Is Peter Wolf Up to These Days?". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. E1.
  4. Heim, Chris (9 Mar 1990). "Peter Wolf and Nick Lowe resurface on new labels". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. Q.
  5. 1 2 Obee, Dave (22 Mar 1990). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. F4.
  6. "Peter Wolf". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  7. 1 2 Erskine, Evelyn (30 Mar 1990). "Peter Wolf Up to No Good". Ottawa Citizen. p. D6.
  8. (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. 2004. p. 885.
  9. Potter, Mitch (23 Mar 1990). "Peter Wolf Up to No Good". Toronto Star. p. D18.
  10. Niester, Alan (23 Apr 1990). "Up to No Good Peter Wolf". The Globe and Mail. p. C7.
  11. "Peter Wolf". Billboard. Retrieved 8 March 2023.