Eddie Money Albums (13)
'Wanna Go Back'
Release Date 3/13/2007
Tracks 12
Label Big Deal/Warrior
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What The Critics Say
The '60s were arguably rock & roll's glory decade. The style had found its footing in the '50s, but the '60s were when all of its pop, R&B, blues, and country influences had blended into the perfect mix. You could hear all of these elements, but rock & roll had come into its own before splitting off into precise subgenres as the '70s loomed. With 2007's Wanna Go Back, no-frills rocker Eddie Money pays loving tribute to the '60s music that he and his fellow baby-boomers grew up listening to and performing in their teenage garage bands. (The album title is based on his bittersweet, nostalgia-themed 1986 hit "I Wanna Go Back.") Money is a hard-working veteran whose albums were often inconsistent but always included at least a couple of stone-cold knockouts, sometimes with their big singles and sometimes with lesser-known cuts. In a way, Wanna Go Back mirrors Money's career in that its cover songs include iconic hits and a few less obvious gems. Money and his daughter, Jesse Money, kick off the proceedings with Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." The father-daughter duo also team up on Inez Foxx and Charlie Foxx's "Mockingbird" (later recorded by Carly Simon and James Taylor) and Sam & Dave's "Hold On! I'm Comin'." The Foundations earn two spots on Wanna Go Back when Money takes on "Baby Now That I Found You" and "Build Me Up Buttercup." Money tackles some ballads including "You Don't Know Me" (the highest charting version was by Ray Charles) and the James Brown medley "Please Please Please/Baby Don't You Weep," but he's definitely more in his element when he dives into the rockers. Money's enthusiasm for this project is reflected in Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher," the Rascals' "Good Lovin'," Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels' "Jenny Take a Ride," and Chris Kenner's "Land of a Thousand Dances" (although Wilson Pickett recorded the best-known version). Money could have pushed his voice harder at times, but he's clearly having a ball on Wanna Go Back. ~ Bret Adams, All Music Guide
'Ready Eddie'
Release Date 5/18/1999
Tracks 11
Label CMC International
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What The Critics Say
Eddie Money signed with CMC International in 1997, releasing the requisite live re-recording album Shakin' with the Money Man that year. Two years later, he delivered Ready Eddie, his first collection of original material for the label that keeps the album rock torch burning. Apart from the clean, state of the art production and slightly heavier guitars, Ready Eddie could have been released at the peak of Money's career in the early '80s -- which may seem like a kind way of saying that this album sounds dated, but really means it's done in classic Eddie Money style. That should be no surprise to anyone who follows CMC, since the label's entire reason for being is to preserve that arena rock sound, but what is a surprise is that this album actually works. Money is supported by a tight band (anchored by superstar drummer Kenny Aronoff) which gives a committed performance, but what really makes Ready Eddie a success is that the songs are solid. There's nothing quite as grabbing as his AOR staples, but there are no dogs whatsoever, and the best of these ("Ready to Rock," "Don't Say No Tonight") sound as if they could have ruled the airwaves between 1980 and 1985. They certainly won't in 1999, but they provide the core of an album that will undoubtedly thrill longtime followers. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
'Shakin' with the Money Man'
Release Date 10/28/1997
Tracks 14
Label CMC International
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Shakin' with the Money Man is a latter-day, live recording from Eddie Money that finds him running through his biggest hits -- "Two Tickets to Paradise," "Shakin'," "Baby Hold On," "I Wanna Go Back," "Take Me Home Tonight" -- for an appreciative audience. In addition to the hits, he throws in a couple of lesser-known tunes, recent numbers, and a holiday song to keep the diehards happy. Although the results aren't particularly memorable and Money is beginning to show some signs of aging, they are entertaining and should satisfy dedicated fans and followers. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
After Where's the Party's lack of recognition and poor sales, Eddie Money more than compensated for it with 1986's Can't Hold Back, an album which netted him three Top 40 hits and eventually gained platinum status. With some vocal help from Ronnie Spector and some exuberant sax work, "Take Me Home Tonight" emerged as Money's highest-charting hit, going all the way to number four as the album's lead single. Following this, "I Wanna Go Back's sincere, semi-ballad charm peaked at number 14, while "Endless Nights" went to number 21 in May of 1987. Not only does Money have a perfect balance of catchy, hook-induced music and well-written lyrics, he also sports more confidence and energy throughout Can't Hold Back's material than ever before. Although tailored for radio, the songs aren't hindered by what could have been a mediocre, humdrum rock formula. Instead, Money infuses enough of his slightly sexy vocal character into the cuts to give them the added sparkle and crispness needed to rise above his past endeavors, evident in even the non-hits like "We Should Be Sleeping," which just cracked the Top 100 but is a fine single nonetheless, and on both "I Can't Hold Back" and Stan Meissner's "One Chance." Upping the ante from 1982's No Control, Can't Hold Back exhibits the type of music Eddie Money was meant to make, and it's at par if not better than his first couple of albums. ~ Mike DeGagne, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Throughout his career, Eddie Money has followed a successful album with another record that sounded remarkably similar to its predecessor and Nothing to Lose was no exception to the rule. However, Nothing to Lose was marginally better than Playing for Keeps and Where's the Party?, featuring a handful of well-crafted mainstream pop songs, including the Top 10 hit "Walk on Water." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
After the comeback of No Control, Money produced the lackluster Where's the Party? Although the album replicated the formula of its predecessor, it lacked a collection of hook-filled songs, which made Where's the Party? Money's lowest-charting record to date. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
On No Control, Eddie Money found the perfect middle ground between AOR production and pop hooks, with the singles "Think I'm In Love" and "Shakin'" sending the rocker back into platinum territory. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
If Life for the Taking made concessions to pop trends, Playing for Keeps was sunk by Eddie Money's attempt to fit into the mainstream. While his production had never been raw, the sound of the album was entirely too glossy for album rock radio, while Money couldn't write songs with enough memorable hooks to earn him radio play. The result was one of his weakest albums. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
