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Looking
back at the 1975 album Welcome to Riddle Bridge, what stands out the
most is that it was chock full of beautiful ballads. The best of these
has to be Michael Brewer's "Hearts Overflowing" which was so simple
and so beautiful that it was covered five more times in the 70's, 80's, and
90's. The first cover was by Jonathon Edwards (1976), followed by
Michael's own cover on his first solo album Beauty Lies (1983) with
Linda Ronstadt singing a wonderful backup. It was then covered
three more times in the '90s by The Dillards, The Seldom Sceen, and by
Rice, Rice, Hillman &
Pedersen. "So Satisfied", "Brighter Days" and "Don't It Feel Like
Heaven" are three other outstanding Brewer & Shipley penned ballads on this album that I am
surprised never got covered by another artist. Also included
was a very nice remake of "Indian Summer" (originally from Weeds), which is
one of their best ballads ever.
Tom Shipley's ballad
"Crying In The Valley" is one of those songs that really grows on you, and
rounds out the six ballads that all belong on a Brewer & Shipley ballad playlist. Adding some spice and separating these beautiful
ballads are some fun up-tempo rockers "Commercial Success", "On The Road In
Kansas City", "Rock & Roll Hostage", and the hilarious "Brain Damage". |
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