Jump to content

Raspberries: The Clunker List...


Recommended Posts

Its amazing to me that you people think its okay to for the Razzi's to perform songs by the Beatles,Who,Searchers,Byrds and whomever else, but they shouldnt sing songs that Eric wrote(All By Myself, etc.)...Especially, if you believe that its a good idea because of the recognizibility to some of the less ardent fans...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lewisa, be strong, woman! The covers are part of Raspberries "history", girl! You're being strongly influenced by your husband's opinions! This is a Raspberries reunion and, if Eric had wanted to reincarnate his solo career, he would be doing that.... but, he has chosen to participate in a group venture here and be 1/4 of Raspberries smile Most of us are VERY happy with that, but Lew seems to think that Eric should be in the spotlight and sidelight the others. That's just not right. You can set him straight (or I will!).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For purposes of accomplishing what I believe they were trying to accomplish I think playing just "Raspberries" songs and songs that influenced the Raspberries (along with the Choir song) was the right thing to do and a very nice jesture on Eric's part. However, if they do decide to be an active band again they would be foolish not to add in some of Eric's hits as well as a Photomaker song or two. This would help them appeal to a broader and slightly younger audience as well as make for an even better show. Imagine the upgrade in their repertoire by replacing "Hard to Get Over a Heartbreak" with "Sunrise" , "Get It Moving" with "All By Myself" and all those covers with "Boats Against the Current", "Change of Heart", "Hey Deanie", " I Wanna Hear It From Your Lips", "Where Have You Been All My Life". It all depends on what their goals are. If they decide their goal is to pursue a successful future together with new CDs and tours with as wide exposure as possible, rather than just play a few gigs a year for the 600+ loyal members of ericcarmen.com this would be the thing to do as well as perhaps a name change to either "Eric Carmen and the Raspberries" or "The Raspberries featuring Eric Carmen"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think Wally would agree with the Fotomaker stuff. I heard him say that most of that first album was done before he was added. HIs Choir stuff his more applicable. Also, I have a feeling that moving Dave's stuff to tha back burner and inserting Eric's solo stuff is not a wise move. I appreciate everyone's compositions in the group, and they should be represented. Eric's solo career marked the end of The Raspberries, let's not have that again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Listen I prefer the music of 'the Raspberries" over that of Eric's with the possible exception of his dedut LP.But I am taking my own personal preferences out of this equation. I am speaking from a purely commercial angle. While Raspberries have played a bigger role in the history of rock and roll than the Eric Carmen solo efforts at this point in time I believe the Eric Carmen name is more recognizable in America than Raspberries. Furthermore combining the two is even more recognizable than either one is alone. Once again this is only if the band decides that they want to reunite permanently, put out a new cd by a major and go for it. I doubt that is their goal. If as I believe their goal is to play a few gigs for their small but extremely devoted fans perhaps put out a DVD of the concerts and possibly put out a new CD on their own or a small independent label then they would do best to keep things as they are, don't rock the boat but also not have high expectations.As I said in earlier post "it all depends on what their goals are". If they are in it to make as big a splash as possible then they would be foolish not to use all the weapons in their arsenal and Eric's name but more importantly songs like 'All By Myself" are some pretty good weapons.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I suspect you're right. Wanting the band to be positioned to be as successful as possible, the desire/need for money (see Todd Rundgren on New Cars thread), or the desire to have Raspberries achieve their rightful place in Rock and Roll history would have to be so strong in the other three to put their own egos aside. It's not an easy thing to do especially when the odds for commercial success especially in the current music scene are so remote. Like I said, I suspect you're right.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I may be wrong, but I don't think egos have anything to do with it. Consider the possibility that they're performing just the way they want to - in perfect harmony with each other, letting each one of them shine in their own way and respecting each other - putting the past behind them, having mended their broken relationships. Egos may have gotten in the way before, but I think they're past that. They're happy and comfortable with who they are. Don't you think they considered all the options of how to market themselves before the reunion? If they wanted to be Eric Carmen & The Raspberries, you'd better bet that's who they would be! It's painfully clear that whatever they decide to do, they won't please everyone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Let me get this straight...How is Tambourine man part of Raspberries history?...It was a song that meant something to Eric when he was a kid...Its okay to play THAT as opposed to a big hit that he had,WROTE and is currently featured on a major T.V.ad campaign and not to mention that it had two Raspberries playing on it...Who the hell is talking about putting the name "Eric Carmen and the Raspberries" on the marquee?...There is no reason that the band can take a ten minute btreak while Eric does a solo piano number or two...I saw Peter Tork do a couple of solo numbers during a Monkees set and they were a heck of a lot bigger than the Berries...I saw Randy Bachman do some BTO numbers when the Guess Who reunited and there is no bigger egomaniac than Burton Cummings...Just as a matter of curiosity, did CREAM do any Clapton solo songs during their reunion...Does anybody know?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No, Cream did not do any Clapton solo songs. The only non-Cream tune they did was a cover of T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday".

I personally don't have problems with the 'Berries playing an occasional cover OR 1-2 EC solo numbers. However, if it came to an "Eric Carmen and the Raspberries" billing, and an Eric solo set, I wouldn't be surprised if they drew less than they would under either the current arrangement (as the Raspberries) or Eric would as a solo act.

While I don't pretend to understand exactly why, it appears that most die-hard Raspberries fans aren't all that thrilled with a lot of Eric's solo material (considering it easy listening in nature), and I suspect a lot of the crowd who would go and see Eric live for "Hungry Eyes", "All By Myself", etc., might not care about seeing his earlier, harder rocking pre-solo band. Eric himself has talked about this weird dichotomy in interviews over the years. (NOTE: This likely would not apply to most members of this board....but several personal friends of mine had no desire to see recent Raspberries shows, thinking they'd get a big dose of Eric solo material in the bargain.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

But if they want to get serious and take the next step, new material, financial backing, extended touring...could they all agree on which way to achieve their goals with more pressure. Which songs to choose, the final mix, the right sound, how to promote, what mistakes not to make this time...which leads to who was to blame for the mistakes the first time...

Have these issues been resolved enough for a serious comeback? I think the guys still have some killer new material to create between them. But different talent levels in certain areas, mixed with certain personality traits, have lead to serious CONTROL issues in the past. Has time and life experience been enough to overcome these issues. We hope so. But the vibe I got at the LA concert made me wonder...

Being biased towards Eric's songwriting and performing talent, I'd give him the leadership position on putting the new CD together every time...But it just wouldn't be fair to the other guys.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think some of Erics solo material was absolutely exceptional and some it mediocre. In short, inconsistent. But when he's been at the top of his game, he's as good a singer/songwriter as anyone in my opinion. Period. But I do think it would be a mistake to attempt to single out Eric in some manner in a Raspberries context. It was the excitement of knowing the Raspberries had reunited which has generated the enthusiasm and events of the past year. I know if it was only Eric going out on the road, as much as I dig him, I wouldnt have felt quite the same way. I think it is a different issue entirely regarding using a couple of Eric's songs. If "Its Cold Outside", by The Choir, can be used, then I really dont see an inconsistency with doing "All By Myself." Its a wonderful, wonderful song. But the group itself really needs to make that call. Its their deal. Im sure these guys could deliver new and wonderful Raspberries CD. But really, they deserve a little more exposure, and $, to ensure it's success. In my feeble opinion, Raspberries need a little more exposure on latenight TV , or a forum like Soundstage which has been discussed elsewhere.

I see so many acts from the past getting exposure on some these entertainment shows and I just shake my head because they cant hold a candle to The Raspberries.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...