Some of you might recall the critical waves made by Peter Case’s first solo album after leaving the Plimsouls. It was produced by T-Bone Burnett and had his signature rootsy sound. It was released on Geffen Records and there were hopes of ‘breaking through’.
It didn’t happen. He released albums on Geffen for a couple of years and still releases high quality stuff that sounds pretty much exactly the same. I can’t really distinguish between them.
Has anybody seen him live? Anybody a mad keen fan with ticket stubs? Anybody want to punch me out for suggesting his albums are samey?
But I want to know if he’s getting by okay. Does he have health insurance? Is he hungry? He’s a really good artist. But I’m worried it hasn’t worked out.
While I’m at it with my worry list, who’s on yours? Anybody seen Marshall Crenshaw lately? Maria McKee?
I often wonder similar things but being a decent size artist in the US in the early 80’s probably set many people up for life. In the past, at least, a well placed song on a soundtrack (see Nick Lowe and The Bodyguard) could make a million. I would guess Maria McKee probably falls into this category although a new album from her would be nice, rather than (what I thought was) a rambling self indulgent soundtrack – I can’t even remember what it was called!On the subject of the Plimsouls, I came to them late, via a couple of powerpop samplers then EMusic downloads (the live at Huntington Beach album is played regularly), and I never knew Peter Case was in the band… more investigation needed.
That first album was on my “to-do” list for literally thirty years. Finally got round to it last year. It’s great!
I met him once and apparently (he reminded me later) said, ‘So, you’re the Great Peter Case…’ His promoter on that tour had kept puffing him up to me, as ‘the great Peter Case’…. As I recall, Peter is a very nice fellow and I wish him all the very best. I’ve not kept up with his releases, but he masterminded a Mississippi John Hurt tribute album some time ago that had a really warm vibe, a good spirit about it – ‘Avalon Blues’ I might just have to play it now…
Big fan of Peter Case – his first 2 albums I had on cassette and wore them out I played them that much. Upgraded to cd a few years back and have bought a few of his more recent releases including an excellent compilation – please to say he doesn’t still sound the same now as he did then. He has evolved but if I am honest nothing tops those first two.
Cathal Coughlan – I often wonder how he gets by from album to album – there’s always long gaps.
I know he took some kind of IT course about 15 years ago so maybe thats what keeps the wolf at bay.
He works for Aunty Beeb in that there Lahdahn.
nice to know. thanks 🙂
He had heart surgery, I think in 2009. He needed crowd funding and help from fellow musicians to pay the bill, so he clearly wasn’t insured at the time. I imagine his medication costs will still be high.
If you are worried about him, why not buy his last LP, HWY 62, available from tax dodgers at less than eight quid?
I wonder how Scott Walker makes a living? He seems to turn up every 8-9 years with a short, unlistenable album that gets huge review space and a re-stoking of the outsider/enigma myth, but I doubt they sell many copies. I doubt he receives substantial royalties from his 60s work (it was the 60s – everyone was ripped off).
Hmmm … yes – I believe “Climate of Hunter” (1984) was one of Virgin Records’ lowest-selling albums of all time.
There no regrets though…
I’ve been a Peter Case fan since his debut album although I know nothing about his band(?) The Plimsouls.
All his albums sound the same, did I hear someone say bollocks? They are right, I don’t have all his albums but enough to say not one is like any other.