Buster Goes Berserk
Encyclopedia
Buster Goes Berserk is the second album from Buster Poindexter, an alter ego
of singer David Johansen
.
It features his backing band "The Banshees of Blue," aided by "The Uptown Horns". Released in 1989, the album continued the "lounge rock" style of its predecessor, Buster Poindexter in covering rhythm 'n' blues songs of the '40s and '50s. As on that album, a lot of Berserk's fun came from the interchanges between Poindexter and vocalist Soozie Tyrell, helped out by Ivy Ray and Randi Michaels.
The album was produced by Hank Medress for SBK Productions with Charlie Giordano the assistant producer and Bill Scheniman the recording and mixing engineer. Recording was done at Skyline Recording Studio in New York City, Galaxy Recording Studio in Los Angeles, and in New York City at Platinum Island Recording, Sanctuary Recording, 39th Street Music and Bass Hit. Mixing was done at Blue Jay recording studio in Carlisle, Massachusetts, with mastering at Sterling Sound in New York City.
Synclavier and string arrangement on "Deep in a Dream" were by John Sheard. Mbongeni Mgema added arrangements and lyrics for "All Night Party" which also benefited from John Morales' programming. Management and direction was provided by Steve Paul in New York City with "special thanks" going to Eddie Gorodetsky, Joe Delia, Steve-O, Phast Phreddie and many others.
The Banshees of Blue are:
The Uptown Horns are:
Additional vocals provided by Martha Wash
, Jocelyn Brown
, Brenda White, Lisa Lowell, Hoy Boy, John Collins, Kevin Trainor, Terry Gabis, Futz, Steve Paul, and from the cast of Sarafina!: Baby Cele, Lindiwe F. Dlamini, Lindiwe C. Hlengwa, Thamsanga Hlatywayo, Leleti Khumalo, Thandini Mavimbela, Nhlanhla Ngema, Pat Mlaba, Thandekile Nhlanhla and Thandi G. Zulu.
Alter ego
An alter ego is a second self, which is believe to be distinct from a person's normal or original personality. The term was coined in the early nineteenth century when dissociative identity disorder was first described by psychologists...
of singer David Johansen
David Johansen
David Roger Johansen is an American rock, protopunk, blues, and pop singer, as well as a songwriter and actor. He is best known as a member of the seminal protopunk band The New York Dolls and also achieved commercial success under the pseudonym Buster Poindexter.-Early life:Johansen was born in...
.
It features his backing band "The Banshees of Blue," aided by "The Uptown Horns". Released in 1989, the album continued the "lounge rock" style of its predecessor, Buster Poindexter in covering rhythm 'n' blues songs of the '40s and '50s. As on that album, a lot of Berserk's fun came from the interchanges between Poindexter and vocalist Soozie Tyrell, helped out by Ivy Ray and Randi Michaels.
The album was produced by Hank Medress for SBK Productions with Charlie Giordano the assistant producer and Bill Scheniman the recording and mixing engineer. Recording was done at Skyline Recording Studio in New York City, Galaxy Recording Studio in Los Angeles, and in New York City at Platinum Island Recording, Sanctuary Recording, 39th Street Music and Bass Hit. Mixing was done at Blue Jay recording studio in Carlisle, Massachusetts, with mastering at Sterling Sound in New York City.
Synclavier and string arrangement on "Deep in a Dream" were by John Sheard. Mbongeni Mgema added arrangements and lyrics for "All Night Party" which also benefited from John Morales' programming. Management and direction was provided by Steve Paul in New York City with "special thanks" going to Eddie Gorodetsky, Joe Delia, Steve-O, Phast Phreddie and many others.
Track listing
- "All Night Party" (Cooper) - 3:53
- "Hit the Road JackHit the Road Jack"Hit the Road Jack" is a song written by rhythm and bluesman Percy Mayfield and first recorded in 1960 as an a capella demo sent to Art Rupe, available on the Memory Pain CD vol. 2, Specialty Records SPCD-7027-2. It became famous after it was recorded by singer-pianist Ray Charles. It hit number...
" (Percy MayfieldPercy MayfieldPercy Mayfield was an American songwriter famous for the songs "Hit the Road Jack" and "Please Send Me Someone to Love", as well as a successful rhythm and blues artist known for his smooth vocal style.-Career:...
) - 3:14 (From the movie "The Dream Team" and hit #40 on the US AC charts.) - "International Playboy" (Bernard Broomer; Bunny SiglerBunny SiglerWalter "Bunny" Sigler is a pop and R&B songwriter and record producer who has done extensive work with the team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and who was instrumental in creating the "Philly Sound" in the early 1970s. He is nicknamed "Mr...
; Lee Phillips; Ugene Dozier) - 4:34 - "Poorest People" (Roy BrownRoy BrownRoy Brown may refer to:*Roy Brown , English professional footballer who was the first black player to play for Stoke City.*Roy Brown , English footballer...
) - 4:31 - "Juicy Lucy" (Chancy) - 4:04
- "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well" (Eddie DeLange; Johnny Brooks) - 3:21
- "At the Party" (Johnny RiveraJohnny RiveraJohnny Rivera is a Puerto Rican American salsa singer.Rivera was raised in the Bronx, and attended high school at Benjamin Franklin High School. He moved briefly to Puerto Rico before returning to New York to begin a career in music...
; Reyes) - 3:01 - "Imitation of Life" (Arno Hecht; Crispin Cioe; David JohansenDavid JohansenDavid Roger Johansen is an American rock, protopunk, blues, and pop singer, as well as a songwriter and actor. He is best known as a member of the seminal protopunk band The New York Dolls and also achieved commercial success under the pseudonym Buster Poindexter.-Early life:Johansen was born in...
; Bob Funk; Hollywood Paul Litteral) - 4:32 - "Debourge Yourself" (Arno Hecht; Crispin Cioe; David Johansen; Bob Funk; Hollywood Paul Litteral) - 3:41
- "Deep in a Dream" (Eddie DeLange; Jimmy Van Heusen) - 3:11
Personnel
- Vocals: Buster PoindexterDavid JohansenDavid Roger Johansen is an American rock, protopunk, blues, and pop singer, as well as a songwriter and actor. He is best known as a member of the seminal protopunk band The New York Dolls and also achieved commercial success under the pseudonym Buster Poindexter.-Early life:Johansen was born in...
The Banshees of Blue are:
- Charlie GiordanoCharles GiordanoCharles Giordano is an American keyboardist and accordionist. Giordano is known primarily as the newest member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, playing keyboards and organ following the serious illness and subsequent death of longtime E Street organist Danny Federici in 2008...
- keyboards and accordion, Musical Director - Brian Koonin - electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin Conductor
- Tony Machine - drums
- Tony "Antoine Fats" GarnierTony Garnier (musician)Tony Garnier is an American bassist , best known as an accompanist to Bob Dylan, with whom he has played since 1989...
- upright bass and electric bass - Fred Walcott - percussion
- Soozie TyrellSoozie TyrellSoozie Tyrell, , formerly known as Soozie Kirschner, is an American violinist and vocalist, most known for her work with Bruce Springsteen in the E Street Band.-Biography:...
- vocals and violin - Ivy Ray - vocals
- Randi Michaels - vocals
The Uptown Horns are:
- Crispin Cioe - alto and baritone sax
- Bob Funk - trombone
- Arno Hecht - tenor sax
- Hollywood Paul Litteral - trumpet
Additional vocals provided by Martha Wash
Martha Wash
Martha Wash is an American R&B, Pop, Soul, House singer/songwriter known for her distinctive and powerful voice.-Early career:...
, Jocelyn Brown
Jocelyn Brown
Jocelyn Lorette Brown is an American R&B and dance music singer...
, Brenda White, Lisa Lowell, Hoy Boy, John Collins, Kevin Trainor, Terry Gabis, Futz, Steve Paul, and from the cast of Sarafina!: Baby Cele, Lindiwe F. Dlamini, Lindiwe C. Hlengwa, Thamsanga Hlatywayo, Leleti Khumalo, Thandini Mavimbela, Nhlanhla Ngema, Pat Mlaba, Thandekile Nhlanhla and Thandi G. Zulu.