A Song For My Father

March 22, 2007
By Dave White
About.com Classic Rock Music Guide

Guide rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Bottom Line
What could have been a schmaltzy excuse to trade on their famous fathers' names is instead a surprisingly well produced, well performed tribute. These children of well known artists are talented artists in their own right.

Pros:
* Artists don't try to imitate their fathers
* Arrangements and interpretations are fresh
* Tribute songs are well chosen

Cons:
* Only available at Target stores or Web site

Description

* Track List:
* “Evil Ways” Salvador Santana (Clarence Henry)
* “Travelin’ Man” Matthew And Gunnar Nelson (Ricky Nelson)
* “Lover’s Cross” A.J. Croce (Jim Croce)
* “Cat’s In The Cradle” Jen Chapin (Harry Chapin)
* “Midnight Rider” Devon Allman’s Honeytribe (Gregg Allman)
* “Up On The Roof” Louise Goffin (Gerry Goffin & Carole King)
* “Bartender’s Blues” Ben Taylor (James Taylor)
* “Soul Shake Down Party” Ky-Mani Marley (Bob Marley)
* “Bird On A Wire” Adam Cohen (Leonard Cohen)
* “Yellow Moon” Ivan Neville (Aaron Neville & Joel Neville)
* “Warmth Of The Sun” Carnie & Wendy Wilson (Mike Love & Brian Wilson)
* “Got A Feeling” Chynna Phillips (Denny Doherty & John Phillips)
* “Run To Me” Spencer Gibb & 54 Seconds (Barry Gibb/Maurice Gibb/Robin Gibb)
* “Coming In To Los Angeles” Sarah Lee Guthrie (Arlo Guthrie)

Guide Review - A Song For My Father
I had thought I would wait until closer to Father's Day to review this CD, but the more I looked at the lineup of artists and selection of songs, the more interested I became. So, heck with some phony holiday tie-in, let's see what's under the hood.

It's a simple concept. Children of artists like Gregg Allman, Harry Chapin, Jim Croce, James Taylor, Carole King and Arlo Guthrie perform songs that their fathers made famous.

Some are fairly well known performers: Chynna Phillips, Ben Taylor, Louise Goffin, Devon Allman, A.J. Croce, Ky-Mani Marley. Others, just as talented, are a bit less well known: Jen Chapin, Ivan Neville, Sarah Lee Guthrie.

Although some of the artists' voices bear some resemblance to their fathers', none tried to pull off imitations. Rather, they offer up some fresh arrangements and vocal interpretations. Among the best: Jen Chapin's "Cat's In The Cradle," Devon Allman's "Midnight Rider" and Sarah Lee Guthrie's "Coming In To Los Angeles."

A Song For My Father is part of Target's Spotlight Features series, and is only available at Target's retail stores or Web site. The limited distribution aside, this a CD well worth having in your collection.