Buster Goes Berserk

Buster Goes Berserk
Studio album by
Buster Poindexter
Released1989
Recorded1988–1989
GenreR&B[1]
Length37:12
LabelRCA
ProducerHank Medress
Buster Poindexter chronology
Buster Poindexter
(1987) 		Buster Goes Berserk
(1989) 		Buster's Happy Hour
(1994)

Buster Goes Berserk is the second album by Buster Poindexter, an alter ego of singer David Johansen.[2][3] It was released in 1989 by RCA Records.[1] The version of "Hit the Road Jack" reached No. 40 on the US AC charts and also appeared on the soundtrack to The Dream Team.[4]

Production

Members of the cast of Sarafina! performed on the album.[5] "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well" is a cover of the song made famous by Wynonie Harris.[1] "International Playboy" is a cover of the Wilson Pickett song.[6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
Robert ChristgauB−[8]
Los Angeles Times[9]

Robert Christgau wrote that "Buster's no better at bigtime schmaltz than David was."[8] The Los Angeles Times determined that "this ice-breaking-if scarcely ground-breaking-disc is still a purr-fect poolside party platter for too-hepcats 'n' snake-hipped kittens as well as fine, fine, superfine grist for the live show's gin mill."[9]

The Washington Post deemed the album "lite beer beach music."[10] The New York Times concluded that "the best cuts are those that suggest scenes from a wild party in progress where the host is the rambunctious, half-pickled singer, who has immersed himself in the persona of a funky soul man."[11]

Track listing

  1. "All Night Party" (Ashley "Grub" Cooper) - 3:53
  2. "Hit the Road Jack" (Percy Mayfield) - 3:14 (No. 40 on the US AC charts.)
  3. "International Playboy" (Bernard Broomer, Bunny Sigler, Lee Phillips, Ugene Dozier) - 4:34
  4. "Poorest People" (Roy Brown) - 4:31
  5. "Juicy Lucy" (Albert Chancy) - 4:04
  6. "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well" (Eddie DeLange, Johnny Brooks) - 3:21
  7. "At the Party" (Johnny Rivera) - 3:01
  8. "Imitation of Life" (Arno Hecht, Crispin Cioe, David Johansen, Bob Funk, "Hollywood" Paul Litteral) - 4:32
  9. "Debourge Yourself" (Arno Hecht, Crispin Cioe, David Johansen, Bob Funk, "Hollywood" Paul Litteral) - 3:41
  10. "Deep in a Dream" (Eddie DeLange, Jimmy Van Heusen) - 3:11

Personnel

The Banshees of Blue:

The Uptown Horns:

  • Crispin Cioe - alto and baritone saxophone
  • Bob Funk - trombone
  • Arno Hecht - tenor saxophone
  • "Hollywood" Paul Litteral - trumpet

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.

References

  1. ^ a b c Holden, Stephen (7 June 1989). "The Pop Life". The New York Times. p. C16.
  2. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Buster Poindexter Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  3. ^ Robins, Wayne (12 May 1989). "Poindexter Goes to Campy". Weekend. Newsday. p. 15.
  4. ^ Radel, Cliff (August 11, 1989). "Buster Poindexter Buster Goes Berserk". USA Today.
  5. ^ Caudle, Todd (23 June 1989). "Off-balance or not, 'Buster' is fun". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. D3.
  6. ^ Italie, Hillel (August 4, 1989). "Buster Poindexter or David Johansen—He's Hot". Miami Herald. AP. p. 19G.
  7. ^ "Buster Goes Berserk Buster Poindexter". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Buster Poindexter". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  9. ^ a b Waller, Don (6 Aug 1989). "Buster Poindexter Buster Goes Beserk". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 71.
  10. ^ Zibart, Eve (14 July 1989). "Who You Gonna Call? Taste Buster". The Washington Post. p. N23.
  11. ^ Holden, Stephen (28 May 1989). "Recent Releases". The New York Times. p. A22.