Keith Carradine Albums (3)
'I'm Easy/Lost And Found'
Release Date 1/1/2004
Tracks 21
Label Collectors Choice
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
This CD contains both of Keith Carradine's mid-'70s long-players, I'm Easy (1976) and the follow-up Lost & Found (1978). Although primarily known for his screen appearances and as the son of actor John Carradine, he demonstrated his musical penchant in the Robert Altman film Nashville (1975). He subsequently won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1976 with his composition "I'm Easy." The tune made a decent showing (number 17) on the pop singles charts, scoring him a deal with Asylum Records. As the title would suggest, I'm Easy (1976) included a remake of that hit. The update sticks fairly close to the soundtrack rendering, with a small string section the primary difference. The remainder of the effort featured some strong MOR melodies under the direction of noted jazz musician Dave Grusin (synthesizer/piano/keyboards). The introspective opener, "Honey Won't You Let Me Be Your Friend," as well as the stark "Spellbound" and jazz-fused R&B on "It's Been So Long" are a few of the highlights. Studio session heavies such as Harvey Mason (drums), Earl Palmer (drums), Dean Parks (guitar), and Lee Ritenour (guitar) provide an ample instrumental bed that never clutters Grusin's arrangements. Lost & Found (1978) contrasts his previous outing with a more organic feel, and sports some choice cover songs. Tom Waits' "San Diego Serenade" and the mid-tempo folksy version of the Beatles' "Rain" are examples, with the latter standing out as wholly distinct from the original with a free-flowing acoustic lead replacing George Harrison's edgy distorted guitar. Carradine's "Smile Again, Laugh Again," the soulful "Chance Blues," and the ballad "Homeless Eyes" are the best offerings on Lost & Found. Producer/arranger Brooks Arthur assembled a team that included Jim Keltner (drums), Ray Neapolitan (bass), and Steve Porcaro(synthesizer). This Collectors' Choice Music release once again makes both platters available after having been out of print for several decades. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
After a nominal success with the album I'm Easy (1975) -- which contained a remake of his Oscar-winning title track -- Keith Carradine (guitar/vocals) was tapped for a follow-up. That effort, Lost & Found (1978), is notably more organic and has less of a slick and overly produced feel. Another prominent difference is the infusion of cover material, such as the affective reading of Tom Waits' "San Diego Serenade" and a mid-tempo folksy version of the Beatles' "Rain." The latter truly stands out for its distinct, free-flowing acoustic guitar lead. Of lesser appeal is the opening remake of the Fleetwoods' "Mr. Blue," as it somewhat labors under Brooks Arthur's plodding arrangement. Among Carradine's originals of note are the introspective and whimsically nostalgic "Smile Again, Laugh Again," or the thoroughly funky and freewheelin' "Chance Blues," which is marked by some loose and limber contributions from Jim Horn (saxophone). Arguably the best is the earthy ballad "Homeless Eyes," which was inspired by E. L. Doctorow's novel The Book of Daniel -- according to James Ritz's liner notes essay in the CD release of Lost & Found and I'm Easy onto a single CD. Once again, the top-shelf musicians who accompany Carradine provide ample support under the direction of the aforementioned Brooks Arthur, whose work with Janis Ian, Tim Hardin, and Van Morrison yielded some of the best engineered recordings of the 1970s. Other featured instrumentalists are Jim Keltner (drums), Ray Neapolitan (bass), and Steve Porcaro (synthesizer). Upon release, Lost & Found quickly disappeared into relative obscurity and Carradine returned to acting; however, his vocal prowess was assuredly beneficial in garnering him a Tony nomination for his landmark title role in the Will Rogers Follies during the 1990s. As alluded to above, Collectors' Choice Music has reissued both of Carradine's mid-'70s long-players, Lost & Found and I'm Easy, onto a single compact disc, making them available after several decades out of print. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
After garnering an Oscar for the Best Original Song in 1976 for "I'm Easy," which had been featured in the Robert Altman film Nashville (1975), then-actor Keith Carradine was signed to a two-record deal on Asylum Records. Encouraged by the Top 20 success of the single, Carradine recut the track with strings and it became the title track to the album I'm Easy (1976). While horror stories of actors-turn-musicians exist, Carradine is an exception. Rather than simply cash in on his name or image, the artist took full advantage of the situation to record some of his own MOR compositions. The results are undeniably solid with Carradine exhibiting a wide spectrum of moods and styles. The general vibe of the effort fits nicely with the singer/songwriter genre that was prominent during the 1970s. Among the decidedly introspective highlights are the opener "Honey Won't You Let Me Be Your Friend," the stark "Spellbound," and the jazzy and slightly R&B-tinged "It's Been So Long." On the other side of the pop music spectrum is the funky shuffle and brash brass section on "Been Gone So Long" or the smooth blue-eyed soul of "I'll Be There." Without a doubt the arrangements by Dave Grusin (synthesizer/piano/keyboards) as well as the cast of all-star studio instrumentalists, such as Harvey Mason (drums), Earl Palmer (drums), Dean Parks (guitar), and Lee Ritenour (guitar) are key elements in the somewhat soulless and slick production. However, this doesn't diminish the strength of Carradine's well-crafted tunes. Although the Nashville (1975) version of "I'm Easy" made a significant showing, this long-player failed to place within the Top 40. In 2004, Collectors' Choice Music paired I'm Easy with Carradine's follow-up, Lost & Found (1978), onto CD, making both available for the first time on CD. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
