Randy Meisner [1978]

by Randy Meisner

Overview

It's no surprise that Randy Meisner's first solo album sounds a great deal like an offshoot of the Eagles' work, as he'd recorded it not long after quitting that band after a six-year stint. The songs run between the extremes of fluid, guitar-driven rockers ("Bad Man," "Every Other Day") and ballads draped in flowing lyricism with harmony singing ("Daughter of the Sky"), including major contributions from his one-time teenage bandmate Donny Ullstrom. Apart from a somewhat dullish rendition of "Save the Last Dance for Me," the album works well, particularly a soulful and highly personalized rendition of "Take It to the Limit." What is surprising is the absence of original material -- apart from the latter Eagles number, everything is contributed by other writers. Meisner and producer Alan Brackett (who doubles on backing vocals and contributes two key songs, "Lonesome Cowgirl" and "I Really Want You Here Tonight") are well able to take songs by Bill Lamb and others and mold them to Meisner's sound and style. Guitarists Jerry Swallow and Steve Edwards, pianist John Hobbs, bassist Kerry Morris, and drummer Kelly Shanahan make a good band, and Ernie Watts contributes a beautifully understated sax solo on "I Really Want You Here Tonight." "Every Other Day" sounds like a lost Eagles number, and "Heartsong" lives up to its title, ending the album on a deeply introspective note. ~ Bruce Eder

Product Details

Release Date:	09/22/2023
Label:	Select-O-Hits
UPC:	3846726214027

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Randy Meisner   Primary Artist,Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Victor Feldman   Guest Artist,Percussion
David Cassidy   Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
J.D. Souther   Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Phil Kenzie   Saxophone
Marty Paich   Strings
Ann Wilson   Vocals
Byron Berline   Fiddle,Violin
Geoffrey Leib   Piano
Tom Erak   Bass
Alan Brackett   Vocals,Marxophone,Vocals (Background)
Donny Ullstrom   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Tower of Power   Horn
John Hobbs   Organ,Piano,Piano (Electric)
Ernie Watts   Saxophone
Denny Carmassi   Drums
John Corey   Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards
Sterling Smith   Keyboards
Steven Scharf   Vocals (Background)
Tita Kerpan   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Nancy Wilson   Vocals
Bill Lamb   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Dixon House   Vocals,Keyboards
Kerry Morris   Bass
Jerry Swallow   Guitar
Richie Walker   Vocals (Background)
Kelly Shanahan   Drums
Patrick Shanahan   Drums
Scott Shelley   Synthesizer,Synthesizer Strings
Jayne Zinsmaster   Vocals (Background)
Brian Smith   Guitar
Steve Edwards   Dobro,Guitar,Slide Guitar,Guitar (Steel)
Ritchie Walker   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Howard Leese   Guitar,Vocals,Synthesizer
Nicky Hopkins   Keyboards
Mitchell Froom   Synthesizer
Marcy Levy   Vocals

Technical Credits

Glenn Frey   Composer
Carmela Guida   Composer
Alan Brackett   Composer,Producer
J.D. Souther   Composer
Doc Pomus   Composer
Frank Guida   Composer
Don Henley   Composer
Julius Edward Dixon   Composer
Joseph Royster   Composer
Bill Lamb   Composer
John Merrill   Composer
Bill Martin   Composer
Rudy Toombs   Composer
Scott Boyer   Composer
Randy Meisner   Composer
Gordon Giltrap   Composer
Mort Shuman   Composer