Striking It Rich

"You Got To Believe": These guys don't need drums to break a rhythm. Just listen to the opening lines - nothing but a bass and a finger-snap, but by the time the guitar comes in, your heart is already beating in time. Depressed? Just play this once, and sing along. You will "simply" absorb the message of assurance and hope. In 1973, the New York Mets, inspired by this song, adopted its title as their motto and promptly rose from last place to the World Series, proving that it works. Dan and "the girls" (Marianne and Naomi) trade lines, as they often do: "Believe in somethin' (What's that somethin'?) That somethin' is love."

"Walkin' One and Only": The beat comes from the guitar this time, and you might even find yourself "clicking your heels a bit". He's a hustler, a man on the make, but you can't help but like him.

"O'Reilly At the Bar": Dan turns his voice into a seriously, hilariously intoxicated character, O'Reilly ("that's me!") whose beer was accidentally drunk by a fellow patron. "You stolen my beer, and that ain't right, you gettin' yourself in a fight. Whoever you are, you pushed me too far, now I'm gonna smash your face." You're smiling, aren't you?

"Moody Richard": The Licks turn serious lyrically on this one, but the vocals are harmonious, and the music is gorgeous, especially the guitar solo. This time the bass provides the rhythmic pulse. It's about an "innocent bystander" who never gets involved. "He's guilty!" the song concludes.

"I Scare Myself": The best of the several versions of this song Dan recorded, including the excellent one with Rickie Lee Jones on his comeback album of 2000, "Beatin' the Heat". The violin solo by Sid Page will touch your deepest fears and leave you screaming, if you let it. What a performance!

"Woe, the Luck": Another serious song, this time about the cost of selling your soul for earthly riches.

"Presently in the Past": Written and sung by Naomi Eisenberg, a bitter (but not maudlin) song of regret about a long-ago love, softened by the tenderness of her singing and Sid's violin. We don't just hear her cry, we cry with her.

Dan's singing voice is not appealing purely as an instrument, but he is expressive and funny, and he wrote all but one of the above-named songs. Marianne and Naomi are perfect foils for him, and they sing beautifully. The band rocks, without drums or electricity, and they certainly earn the name "Hot Licks". This is one of my favorite albums of the 70s.