Genre: pop
Rating: 4 stars ****
Title: Out of Nowhere
Company: Ariola
Catalog: SW
50064
Year: 1979
Country/State: Scotland
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: promo stamp on front and back covers
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5444
Price: $15.00
I forget the name of the Hugh Grant flick where he plays half of what had been a famous pop duo. Naturally Hugh plays the half of the group whose post-breakup solo career went into the toilet while his partner went on to become a mega star ... think Wham!'s Andrew Ridgeley versus George Michael (though credit Ridgeley for having kept his life together while Michael's become a self-pitying mega mess). I know that's not exactly a perfect way to start an entry on Joe Egan, but relatively speaking his post-Stealers Wheel career hasn't done much when compared to partner Gerry Rafferty (yeah, I can hear many of you asking 'Gerry' who).
Stealers Wheel (a band I've always enjoyed) called it quits in 1975. Ongoing litigation kept the the prime members from releasing new material for three years. Singer/songwriter Gerry Rafferty waited until 1978 to release a post-Stealers Wheel solo career. His former compatriot Joe Egan held out until 1979.
Produced by David Courtney (best known for his work with Leo Sayer), 1979's "Out of Nowhere" was worth the wait. The result was a record that's overflowing with charm. I'll readily admit it took awhile for me to recognize the set's charms, but once I did, they hit me like a ton of bricks. That said, a word of warning - this isn't in-your-face rock. In fact, it makes much of the Stealers Wheel catalog look like heavy metal. Propelled by Egan's dry voice (which I've always thought was one of Stealers Wheel's strengths), exemplified by material like 'Back On the Road', 'Ask No Favours' and 'Pride' (with a killer dobro solo) the collection showcased a low-keyed charm that blended Egan's reflective lyrics, pop sensibilities, and some of the year's prettiest melodies. Occasionally almost pastoral, it made for a great record to sit back and relax with ('No Time for Sorrow' was a country-flavored song I actually liked). Ironically the atypical rockers 'Why Let It Bother You' and 'Leaving It All Behind' (which may have been a swipe at ex-partner Rafferty), were also the best songs on the album. Ariola tapped the album for a pair of singles:
- 1979's 'Last Farwell' b/w 'Pride' (Ariola catalog number ARO 107)
- 1979's 'Freeze' b/w 'Pride' (Ariola catalog number ARO 171)
There was also a third single released in Germany:
- 1979's 'Back On the Road' b/w 'My Mama Told Me' (Ariola catalog number 100 599-100)
"Outt of
Nowhere" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Back On the Road (Joe Egan) -
2.) Ask No Favours (Joe Egan) -
3.) Why Let It Bother You (Joe Egan) -
4.) The Last Farewell (Joe Egan) -
(side
2)
1.) Freeze (Joe Egan) -
2.) Pride (Joe Egan) -
3.) No Time for Sorrow (Joe Egan) -
4.) Leaving It All Behind (Joe Egan) -
5.) Out of Nowhere (Joe Egan) -
For anyone interested there's at least one more Egan album - 1981's "Map". Good luck finding a copy.
"Map" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Tell Me All About It (Joe Egan) -
2.) Survivor (Joe Egan) -
3.) Stay As You Are (Joe Egan) -
4.) Diamonds (Joe Egan) -
5.) Maker On The Make (Joe Egan) -
(side 2)
1.) Miss Match (Joe Egan) -
2.) Heat Of The Moment (Joe Egan) -
3.) Price Of Love (Joe Egan) -
4.) A Little Bit Of Magic (Joe Egan) -
5.) Front Line (Joe Egan) -
Egan seems to have subsequently dropped out of the music business, reportedly focusing his attention on a publishing company he owns and operates in Scotland.