Dopamine

This album came to my attention a few years ago because Ron Sexsmith contributed. I was going through a ‘get everything Ron Sexsmith recorded’ phase. I didn’t realise that one of the tracks (Noodletown) was used as the theme for ‘Sessions at West 54th’ which of course could be because that show didn’t get syndicated in Ireland or the UK.

Released in 1998 this out-of-print album is a bit of a curio. A well known producer & arranger (Vega, Crowded House, Costello, Sexsmith, McCartney) spends 3 years on an album that appears to be a mish mash of styles which sit together in a strange way. Or is it just me ?

The only names that were familiar to me (apart from Sexsmith) were of course Froom’s former partner Suzanne Vega, David Hidalgo from Los Lobos, Mark Eitzel from American Music Club, Sheryl Crow and Lisa Germano. Of these people I can only say I am familiar with Vega & Sexsmith’s work.

American Music Club is something I know I should investigate someday but will need a chaperone I think.

I see Pete Thomas from the Attractions played on this too.

Here’s the track listing
1 Tastes Good (Featuring – David Hidalgo)
2 The Bunny (Featuring – M. Doughty)
3 Kitsum (Featuring – Lisa Germano)
4 Dopamine (Featuring – Suzanne Vega)
5 Watery Eyes (Featuring – Mark Eitzel)
6 Monkey Mind (Featuring – Sheryl Crow)
7 Noodletown
8 Wave (Featuring – Miho Hatori)
9 I’d Better Not (Featuring – Louie Perez)
10 Permanent Midnight (Featuring – Jerry Stahl)
11 Overcast (Featuring – Ron Sexsmith)
12 Fruta Prohibida

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