"City To City" and "Night Owl"

1978's City To City

1979's Night Owl

Below is a summary of two albums by the recently departed Gerry Rafferty.  It was written to accompany their posting on a blog I enjoy, and-your-bird-can-swing. 

“Baker Street” is the highlight of 1978’s City To City, Gerry Rafferty’s first solo album after leaving Stealers Wheel, and second overall.   And it should be.  It’s a late 70’s pop classic that everybody knows, if not by title, then for the clarion sax riff that colors the song, sounding both cathartic and doleful.

Both City To City and its’ follow-up, 1979’s Night Owl, boast a lot of similar, yet positive traits.  Rafferty offers songs that are melodically rich, if generally mid-tempo, and sung in his low-key manner as part of the overall mix, not the featured instrument.   That approach works to his benefit despite having lyrics worthy of paying attention to.  The shorthand assessment of his lyrics: news reports saying he suffered from depression are no surprise.

This music won’t grab you instantaneously, like the first time you heard [insert whatever recording has always stood out to you], but rather insinuates itself after repeated listening.  The tracks are well-played and expertly arranged; nothing real flashy, but all very competent.

Of the two, City To City is clearly the better with “Baker Street” and “Right Down The Line” being catchier than anything else on either album.  The rest of the albums probably suffer a bit from being too similar.  Despite that, the tracks are still good.

These CD’s aren’t essential, but they do provide a clear portrait of a talented and bummed out artist, and as such, are definitely worth having.  These CD’s also won’t liven up your party: but if you like your highs [puff, puff] mixed with lows [melancholy], there’s probably something in here for you.