Buster Goes Berserk
| Buster Goes Berserk | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Recorded | 1988–1989 | |||
| Genre | R&B[1] | |||
| Length | 37:12 | |||
| Label | RCA | |||
| Producer | Hank Medress | |||
| Buster Poindexter chronology | ||||
| ||||
Buster Goes Berserk is the second album by Buster Poindexter, an alter ego of singer David Johansen.[2][3] It was released in 1989 by RCA Records.[1] The version of "Hit the Road Jack" reached No. 40 on the US AC charts and also appeared on the soundtrack to The Dream Team.[4]
Production
[edit]Members of the cast of Sarafina! performed on the album.[5] "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well" is a cover of the song made famous by Wynonie Harris.[1] "International Playboy" is a cover of the Wilson Pickett song.[6]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [7] |
| Robert Christgau | B−[8] |
| Los Angeles Times |  [9] |
Robert Christgau wrote that "Buster's no better at bigtime schmaltz than David was."[8] The Los Angeles Times determined that "this ice-breaking-if scarcely ground-breaking-disc is still a purr-fect poolside party platter for too-hepcats 'n' snake-hipped kittens as well as fine, fine, superfine grist for the live show's gin mill."[9]
The Washington Post deemed the album "lite beer beach music."[10] The New York Times concluded that "the best cuts are those that suggest scenes from a wild party in progress where the host is the rambunctious, half-pickled singer, who has immersed himself in the persona of a funky soul man."[11]
Track listing
[edit]- "All Night Party" (Ashley "Grub" Cooper) - 3:53
- "Hit the Road Jack" (Percy Mayfield) - 3:14 (No. 40 on the US AC charts.)
- "International Playboy" (Bernard Broomer, Bunny Sigler, Lee Phillips, Ugene Dozier) - 4:34
- "Poorest People" (Roy Brown) - 4:31
- "Juicy Lucy" (Albert Chancy) - 4:04
- "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well" (Eddie DeLange, Johnny Brooks) - 3:21
- "At the Party" (Johnny Rivera) - 3:01
- "Imitation of Life" (Arno Hecht, Crispin Cioe, David Johansen, Bob Funk, "Hollywood" Paul Litteral) - 4:32
- "Debourge Yourself" (Arno Hecht, Crispin Cioe, David Johansen, Bob Funk, "Hollywood" Paul Litteral) - 3:41
- "Deep in a Dream" (Eddie DeLange, Jimmy Van Heusen) - 3:11
Personnel
[edit]- Buster Poindexter - vocals
The Banshees of Blue:
- Charlie Giordano - keyboards and accordion, musical director
- Brian Koonin - electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, conductor
- Tony Machine - drums
- Tony "Antoine Fats" Garnier - upright bass and electric bass
- Fred Walcott - percussion
- Soozie Tyrell - vocals and violin
- Ivy Ray - vocals
- Randi Michaels - vocals
The Uptown Horns:
- Crispin Cioe - alto and baritone saxophone
- Bob Funk - trombone
- Arno Hecht - tenor saxophone
- "Hollywood" Paul Litteral - trumpet
Additional vocals provided by Martha Wash, Jocelyn Brown, Brenda White, Lisa Lowell, Hoy Boy, John Collins, Kevin Trainor, Terry Gabis, Futz, Steve Paul, and from the cast of Sarafina!: Baby Cele, Lindiwe F. Dlamini, Lindiwe C. Hlengwa, Thamsanga Hlatywayo, Leleti Khumalo, Thandini Mavimbela, Nhlanhla Ngema, Pat Mlaba, Thandekile Nhlanhla and Thandi G. Zulu.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Holden, Stephen (7 June 1989). "The Pop Life". The New York Times. p. C16.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Buster Poindexter Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ Robins, Wayne (12 May 1989). "Poindexter Goes to Campy". Weekend. Newsday. p. 15.
- ^ Radel, Cliff (August 11, 1989). "Buster Poindexter Buster Goes Beserk". USA Today.
- ^ Caudle, Todd (23 June 1989). "Off-balance or not, 'Buster' is fun". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. D3.
- ^ Italie, Hillel (August 4, 1989). "Buster Poindexter or David Johansen—He's Hot". Miami Herald. AP. p. 19G.
- ^ "Buster Goes Berserk Buster Poindexter". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Buster Poindexter". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ a b Waller, Don (6 Aug 1989). "Buster Poindexter Buster Goes Beserk". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 71.
- ^ Zibart, Eve (14 July 1989). "Who You Gonna Call? Taste Buster". The Washington Post. p. N23.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (28 May 1989). "Recent Releases". The New York Times. p. A22.
