Brother Trucker

Michael Swanger, Newton Daily News, 1/23/2001
A heady mix of country and western pop. ["About You" seen live is particularly stirring.]

Product Description:
The common thread running through these five dedicated musicians is an unshakable "the song comes first" attitude. Each views his role as serving the stories and the characters in Andy Fleming's lyrics. Sometimes that means laying back and letting the silence and space devastate you with the weight of a chosen word. Sometimes it's the bruising attack of unbridled distortion.

Brother Trucker

Tracks:

All The Livelong Day (Schwartz)
Lovin' Al (Grant)
The Mason (Carnelia)
Neat to Be a Newsboy (Schwarz)
Nobody Tells Me How (Rodgers-Birkenhead)
Un mejor Dia Vendra (Taylor-Daniele-Landers)
Just A Housewife (Carnelia)
Millwork (Taylor)
If I Could've Been (Grant)
Joe (Carnelia)
It's an Art (Schwartz)
Brother Trucker (Taylor)
Fathers & Sons (Schwartz)
Cleanin' Women (Grant)
Something to Point To (Carnelia)
I'm Just Movin' (Schwartz) (from the L.A. Theatre Works complete recording of the 1999 revised version)
Hots Michael at the Piano (Carnelia) (previously unreleased demo recording performed by the composer)
The Mason (Carnelia) (previously unreleased demo recording performed by the composer)
Joe (Carnelia) (previously unreleased demo recording performed by the composer)
Lovin' Al (Grant) (previously unreleased demo recording performed by the composer)
Fathers & Sons (Schwartz) (performed by the composer)

Amazon.com

The original 1978 Broadway cast recording of Stephen Schwartz's Working has long been awaited on CD, and this great-sounding 2001 release proves it was worth the wait. Surely one of the more unlikely sources for a musical was Studs Terkel's 1972 book that compiled interviews of American working people discussing their jobs and what they liked and disliked about them. Schwartz transformed these interviews into a series of songs written by himself, Craig Carnelia, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead, Micki Grant, and pop singer James Taylor, and accordingly the variety of songs is as great as the variety of the workers featured. There's the lyric beauty of "The Mason," the rueful "Just a Housewife," the retiree's wry "Joe," the waitress's lilting "It's an Art," Taylor's pop-country "Brother Trucker," and the powerful emotion of "Fathers and Sons," realized by a compelling cast that features David Patrick Kelly, Joe Mantegna, Bob Gunton, and Lynne Thigpen, among others.

Six bonus tracks include a new version of the grocery checker song written for the 1999 L.A. Theatreworks production, Carnelia and Grant performing their own songs (unfortunately, Grant's track comes from a poor-quality audio source), and Schwartz's moving performance of "Fathers and Sons" from 1999's The Stephen Schwartz Album. Also welcome are 2001 notes from Schwartz paired with 1978 notes from Terkel, and a detailed listing of the composers and performers of each song. Working was filmed for American Playhouse in 1982. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

An underrated musical.......2006-03-16

This musical seems to be very underrated, because it isn't done in a traditional style. There is no set storyline or characters. It is essentially a grouping of songs about different people and the work they do in their lives. Some of the songs are very powerful, like "Millworker", and some are just fun, like "Lovin' Al". Some songs date the recording, as songs like "Brother Trucker", while good, have a bit of a synthesized 70's feel. The majority of the songs are more traditional.

I saw this show done by my high school years ago, so maybe it holds a bit of nostalgia for me, but it is definitely worth checking out.

Wonderful Lesser Known Gem.......2005-12-26

I have never seen Working, but would love to, and I would love to perform it so as to revive interest in it. I found out about this recording from an online site, and I fell in love with it. It's a very modern style musical although from 1978. Were it on Broadway today, it would still be revelent to today's working class. My favorite number probably has to be "It's An Art", just because of its sheer fun. I could listen to that song all day and never get bored with it. I do, however, find "Brother Trucker" to be a bit tiring, and "Neat To Be A Newsboy" is just plain old, outdated, and ANNOYING! Other than that, wonderful ablum for an almost forgetten show.

Keep Working!!!.......2004-06-12

I had the privilege of seeing a production of this wonderful musical at L.A. Valley College in May 2004. I quickly fell in love with the songs and the entire premise of the musical. Now, with this CD, I can finally sing along to all the brilliant songs over and over again, belting them out like there is no tomorrow.

What makes Working so special is that anyone can relate to the lyrics, they are powerful, beautiful, touching, and extremely real. Anyone who has ever worked a day in their life will feel the lyrics hit close to home. Whether you're a housewife, a valet parker, a fireman, a millworker, a teacher, a cleaning woman, or even a hooker, this musical has a place for you, no matter what job you do.The emotion, sincerity, and love expressed in the songs are amazing, and they are all extremely unique and a pure joy to listen to.

All the songs are fantastic but the stand-outs have to be "All the Live Long Day," "Just a Housewife," "If I Could've Been," "It's An Art," "Father's and Sons," "Cleaning Women," and "Something to Point to." I also have a soft spot for "Brother Trucker" and "I'm Just Movin" from the 1999 revival, which I am so grateful is included in this CD. This is a terrific, feel-great album everyone should listen to. Give Working a chance, it's worth it.

a good, if obscure CD.......2003-09-26

i admit that this is an obscure musical, but nevertheless i found myself in a production of WORKING as Grace, the millworker. upon listening to the cd, i found that each song characterized the character well. the newsboy song is NOT annoying and my favourite songs are "its an art", "cleaning women", "if i could've been" and "lovin al". I would only recommend this CD for a real musical theatre afficionado, as those who don't appreciate the beauty of a musical won't understand these songs.

off the beaten path.......2003-07-10

I had never heard of this show until I stage managed a musical revue that included "If I Could've Been." That song grew on me, and I finally had to check out the rest of the soundtrack. All of the music on this CD is fantastic, and the lyrics feel sincere, creating beautiful moments for each character. Stephen Schwartz's best decision with this show was collaborating, allowing different composers to bring their own talents and specialties to the music, thus making it more real and less "Broadway." My only criticism is that the liner notes are slim.

Average customer rating:

Regulars

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Something Simple

ASIN: B00006418H
Release Date: 2001-09-01

Tracks:

Bought & Sold
Flat Horizon
They Took Off
Lazymansload
Wait & See
Like The Man
Rent Is Due
Knockin' 'em Down
Dottie's All Night Diner

Average customer rating:

Lil Brother Trucker Hammer D

Manufacturer: Laughing Hyena Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000HCPT7K
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Average customer rating:

Lil Brother Trucker

Manufacturer: Laughing Hyena Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000HCPT7A
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Average customer rating:

Jack & Cokester

Something Simple
Brother Trucker
Manufacturer: Trailer Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0001L3MCQ
Release Date: 2004-03-23

Tracks:

Side By Side
Harold's Barber & Beauty
She's In Texas
For J
Who's Got Your Back?
15 Dollars
Forever For Now
St. Jude
Burning
Jimmy
Bobby

Customer Reviews:

Jack & Cokester.......2007-02-14

Simply put, this is a terrific CD !...I grew up listening to the great guitar work of Bill Lester of Three Thieves and Bill Schlickman of Swamp Fox and even some of the earlier solo work of James Kaune but I believe Mike Fitzpatrick's lead guitar playing may even outshine them...the band is incredibly tight with outstanding lyrics and vocals by Andy Fleming...if you like earthy country/rock music, buy this CD !!...in fact, buy ALL of their CDs !...they have a new one coming out any day now and I can't wait !!

Average customer rating:

Refreshingly Consistent
Brother Trucker
Pioneers of uniqueness

Brother Trucker

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Something Simple

ASIN: B00005AKVB
Release Date: 2000-09-01

Tracks:

Black Eye
Pleasure and Pain
Too Loose (Friday Night)
The Day I Was Released
About You
Razor Wire
Jake
40 oz
Loser And The Fight
Appalachia
Carmella's Wedding Day
Tyler James

Album Description

The common thread running through these five dedicated musicians is an unshakable "the song comes first" attitude. Each views his role as serving the stories and the characters in Andy Fleming's lyrics. Sometimes that means laying back and letting the silence and space devastate you with the weight of a chosen word. Sometimes it's the bruising attack of unbridled distortion.

Customer Reviews:

Refreshingly Consistent.......2002-02-22

While I find that many albums in the rock/country, alt-country, whatever genre you call it pack a few solid tracks in dull wrap filler, this album is consistenly strong. This is an album in the true sense of the word. Andy Flemming has honed his songwriting skills in a very Cash-esque style and the band has plenty and of energy and edge to back it up. It is one of those albums where each song on the CD was my favorite...until a week later when I was hooked on the next track. They may not wear masks, but they still deserve to get some national attention...

Brother Trucker.......2001-09-17

I have been lucky enough to catch this band in Iowa and Illinois, this first CD is just great. Solid roots music with lyrics that rival any good short story. Having heard the band and some of their other material, I eagerly await a second CD.

Pioneers of uniqueness.......2001-03-23

In our eclectic and dynamic music world, there are few pioneers of uniqueness. Brother Truckers' self-titled debut album really brings a badly needed sense of freshness with it. Singer/songwriter/Rhythm guitarplayer Andy Fleming champions the loser in us all. He does this without the catches and clichés that nearly cripple most debut albums. There are influences that are noticeable like: Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young. But, Roots Rock owes quite a bit to these men and their pioneering of an exciting trend in music. This is not to say that Brother Trucker is in anyway another rip-off band. The lyrics and music are their own. Mike Fitzpatrick's lead guitar playing attest to a refusal to be caught up in the rock-n-roll power lead trap. Mike's guitar playing is not overbearing or showy. He knows when to slam into his leads and draft the energy required to give a song breath. The lyrics are charming, honest, and accessible. The song "The Day I was Released" is about the assimilation of a man who was just released from prison. It doesn't glorify deviance nor does it justify or explain a man's actions. It simply relays an experience. The album has texture. It takes you places. Lyle Kevin Hogue's driving bass line in "Razor Wire" really gets your heart pumping. Brian Atkinson brings an ethereal feel with his various raindrops of percussion. And, John Conlan's drumming keeps each song flowing. It is music with intelligence and a pulse. This album exemplifies what, for most of us; life is about...triumph and tragedy. Too often an album has two possibly three strong tracks and that is it. Brother Trucker has twelve well written and well played songs. The characters in the songs are real, they are flawed, and they are mirrors from which we learn about who we are. Most us have been drunk, engaged in a fistfight, had dirt under our fingernails, been in love, and had fond memories of our childhoods. If you are one of those who have experienced any of these, then this album is for you.

Music Album:

Music Album