[2017-03-03] Artful Dodger "The Complete Columbia Recordings" 2CD set (Real Gone)

Linda · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2017 6:01 pm

Description
Artful Dodger was a band ahead of its time, casting hard-edged hooks into a mid-‘70s pond that wasn’t quite ready to bite on the genre that came to be known as power pop. Had they come along a few years later, things might have been quite different for this outfit hailing from Fairfax, VA, for their three albums for the Columbia label hold up to this day as shining examples of the style. Their first two records, 1975’s Artful Dodger and 1976’s Honor Among Thieves, combine Beatle-esque pop and driving rock in the finest Raspberries tradition (interestingly, Artful Dodger had a big following in Cleveland, the Raspberries’ home town); they feature refreshingly straightforward production from Jack Douglas (Aerosmith) and/or Eddie Leonetti and some really tremendous songwriting especially on tracks like “Wayside” and “Scream.” And 1977’s Babes on Broadway, while showing some signs of a group frustrated with its lack of commercial success, definitely has its moments, particularly on the song “Can’t Stop Pretending.” Unfortunately, without a stylistic pigeonhole to place them in, Columbia was unable to move any copies and dropped them, which explains why Artful Dodger has been so hard to find in the digital era, with CDs of their first two albums commanding huge sums online and the third one never coming out at all. Now, Real Gone Music is shining a long-overdue spotlight on this seminal power pop band with a 2-CD set that includes all three albums plus a couple of single versions, their COMPLETE recordings for the Columbia label, newly remastered by Maria Triana at Battery Studios in New York. Jeremy Cargill’s notes feature fresh quotes from band members Steve Cooper and Steve Brigida, plus we’ve dug up some rare photos from the Columbia vaults. Power pop fans, prepare to have your minds blown!

Tracklist
[CD1]
1. Wayside
2. You Know It's Alright
3. It's Over
4. Follow Me
5. Long Time Away
6. Think Think
7. Silver and Gold
8. Things I'd Like to Do Again
9. Waiting Place
10. New York City
11. Honor Among Thieves
12. Not Enough
13. Scream
14. Keep A-Knockin'

[CD2]
1. Keep Me Happy
2. Remember
3. Dandelion
4. Hey Boys
5. Good Fun
6. Scream
7. Can't Stop Pretending
8. Alright
9. Who in the World
10. Wave Bye-Bye
11. All I Need
12. Babes on Broadway
13. Mistake
14. Loretta
15. Idi Amin Stomp
16. C'Mon Everybody
17. Can't Stop Pretending

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MU79N7D/?tag=imwan-20

Renny · 26 Jun 2006

i remember when the artful dodger CD's would bring big big bucks on the used market.

a very underrated and misused by their label band.

not unlike another clevelander michael stanley.

if you've never heard of them this might be an interesting CD to check them out.

from what i could find they had 3 albums on columbia and 1 on ariola america, so this will NOT be career encompassing.

Jimbo · 19 Jul 2006

I acquired the first two albums on CD over the years, but this set goes on my shopping list.

With never-ending proclamations about the death of the CD, it's great to have a label like Real Gone around, still putting out reissues and comps for folks like us. Omnivore and Varese are doing good work, too.

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

Jimbo wrote:

I acquired the first two albums on CD over the years, but this set goes on my shopping list.

With never-ending proclamations about the death of the CD, it's great to have a label like Real Gone around, still putting out reissues and comps for folks like us. Omnivore and Varese are doing good work, too.

And Esoteric, Cherry Red & Rock Candy from the UK.

86mets · **Joined:** 12 Jan 2007 **Posts:** 144

Can hardly wait..."Babes on Broadway" will be making its CD debut and it will be a great package...come on March... :-)

[2017-03-03] Artful Dodger "The Complete Columbia Recordings" 2CD set (Real Gone)

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