Howie Newman - You Shoulda BeenThere
2011, Major League Records
Brooklyn-bornHowie Newman moved to Boston in 1968 to attend Northeastern University andnever looked back. His love of sports ledhim to nearly two decades as a sportswriter, and as a part time color analystfor the Lowell Spinners (Boston Red Sox minor league team.) Oh, and by the way, Newman is also one of themost engaging singer/songwriters on the New England folk circuit. His humorous and ultimate human observationalsongs put listeners at ease, and his live presence is as folksy and down homeas you could imagine. Newman recentlyreleased a new captured live EP, You Should Been There, a highlyentertaining 6-song cycle featuring Newman at his best.
You Shoulda Been There opens with "Products On TV", a cute and comicaltake on infomercial fare written before the advent of the remote control.Newman brings his usual charm in the live performance, although the recordingsetup leaves something to be desired. "My Baby Can't Parallel Park",a song Newman wrote for his wife, is full of pep and humor, and would have fitperfectly on the old Dr. Demento show. Done in a 1950's rock and roll style onacoustic guitar and harmonica, the song is highly entertaining and fun. Newmanturns to sweet reminiscence on "Our Kids Aren't Kids Anymore", aheartfelt ode to a father's love and how quickly the time you have with yourchildren fades. Newman does a stand-up cover of The Lovin' Spoonful's "DoYou Believe In Magic?” a solid rendition that's absolutely faithful to theoriginal. Newman immortalizes a late night road trip with his brother from 1970in "My Last Cup Of Coffee". It's a sweet and funny remembrance inclassic, folk singer/songwriter style. Newman's anecdotes are worth listening toas well, particularly the 'music consultation' (you'll have to listen to findout.) Newman closes with "That Old Car", a folk and rhythm and bluesode to the memories an old, rusted-out bucket can represent. What might seemcheesy in another's hands out plays as sweet and sentimental from Newman.
Howie Newman keeps things simple on YouShoulda Been There, letting the sweet authenticity of his songs speak foritself. While Newman's songwriting generally stays on the lighter side, there'sa palpable heart to his work that you simply can't ignore. You Shoulda BeenThere is highly entertaining. There will always be coffee house stageswaiting for performers like Howie Newman.
Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)
Learn more at www.howienewman.com or www.myspace.com/howienewman. If you’d like to purchase You Shoulda Been There on CD, you canget it directly from Newmanvia a PayPal payment, or from CDBaby. Digital links are below.
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