Huey Lewis & The News has always been one of my favorite bands. Incorporating
some of their well-known hits in the band I was in 1985, they can best be
described musically as "having a good time." HL&N released 7 albums from
1980 to 1994. Their lineup of musicians has always remained intact throughout
this period.
When VH-1's Behind The Music featured them in 2001,
it was announced that they would be releasing an album of new material later in
the year. When Plan B was released, there were two differences for the
band: 1) They were on a new record label, Silvertone. (Chrysalis had always
been their main label). 2) The News' musicians had a few changes.
Original members Johnny Colla (sax/guitar/piano), Bill Gibson (drums),
Chris Hayes (guitar), Sean Hopper (keyboards) remained with the group. Original
bassist Mario Cipollina was replaced by John Pierce. Additional members included
more horn-oriented musicians: Marvin McFadden (trumpet), Ron Stallings (tenor
sax), and Rob Sudduth (tenor/baritone sax). The News have arrived: Plan B
is a great album, and should not be overlooked.
Leading off the album is a great "have a good time" party tune, "We're Not
Here For A Long Time (We're Here For A Good Time)". It's groove has soul, one
of the News' popular sources of music from past albums. (1994's Four Chords And
Several Years Ago featured remakes of well-known hits, many soul-influenced
tunes.) Another great pop/soulful number is "My Other Woman"; it gets
your head grooving to the beat.
Huey sings "I Ain't Perfect," yet it is perfectly soulful with a
much rougher edge. "When I Write The Book" returns the soulful grooving
rhythms as the first two songs on this album.
A duet with Country artist Wynonna Judd, "I'm Not In Love Yet" is a
great Pop/Country crossover hit, and why it doesn't or didn't get enough radio
airplay is beyond me -- It's a great song, not to be overlooked.
Pop Rock best describes "Thank You #19," having a more Rock feel,
like in songs heard from their 1991 release, Hard At Play.
If you watch David Letterman's show, the title track's introduction resembles
the theme song played by Paul Shaffer and his band. In any sense, "Plan B"
is another great soulful Rock album track. "Rhythm Ranch" has a more
Rock feel, and could be compared to the off-Country band, Little Feat ("Dixie
Chicken").
"Let Her Go And Start Over" is a nice track, that could easily be
a popular hit on any Pop/Adult Contemporary radio station. "I Never Think About
You" and "So Little Kindness" have the blues style of Robert Cray --
great Blues/Soul styled tunes.
Plan B is a GREAT album. It's great to have Huey Lewis & The News
back, with new material and in full stride. Featuring Memphis-Stax Soul,
Pop Rock, Blues, and even a little Country -- This album features all various
styles, and this album is not one to pass up. Overlooking this one would be
selfish. Huey Lewis & The News' albums may not have received ranting reviews
with most critics (Sports not included); ALL of Huey Lewis & The News
albums receive rant-and-rave reviews from their fans, and that is more important
than anything else. The fans' opinions are what counts, and if anyone who has
listened to the music of Huey Lewis & The News, can agree on one thing: It's
Good-Time Music.
Check out the Huey Lewis & The News website at
HLN.org
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