11268 - DANNY KIRWAN - RAM JAM CITY (2000)

DANNY KIRWAN
''RAM JAM CITY''
COMPILATION
MAY 16 2000
44:02
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1 Mary Jane 02:57
2 Cascades 03:12
3 Falling In Love With You (Earlier Version, With False Starts) 02:56
4 Odds And Ends (Alternate Take) 02:52
5 Odds And Ends 02:37
6 Skip A Dee Do 02:45
7 Hot Summer Day 02:41
8 Second Chapter 03:24
9 Silver Streams (Earlier Version) 03:18
10 Best Girl In The World 02:29
11 Falling In Love With You 02:16
12 Lovely Days (With False Starts) 03:40
13 Ram Jam City (Earlier Instrumental Version) 02:38
14 Silver Streams 03:26
15 Ram Jam City 02:43
All Tracks By Kirwan
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BIOGRAPHY/AMG
Greg Prato
Then Play On
Guitarist/singer Danny Kirwan was a member of Fleetwood Mac, helping to bridge their early blues-rock phase to their eventual conventional pop/rock approach, from the late '60s through the early '70s (just prior to the arrival of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham). Born Daniel David Kirwan in South London on May 13, 1950, Kirwan was spotted by Fleetwood Mac members Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood at the age of 18 fronting a local group called Boilerhouse. Green took the young guitarist under his wing, attempting to help Kirwan find other musicians to play with (that were up to his caliber), but when none where found, he was invited to join Green in Fleetwood Mac in August of 1968. Although Kirwan's presence helped inspire the band to issue such classic releases as 1969's Then Play On, 1970's Kiln House, 1971's Future Games, and 1972's Bare Trees, his fellow bandmembers quickly saw the dark side of the young musician, who was alcoholic and prone to mood swings.

Second Chapter
The situation began to put a strain on the group, and after one specific incident while on tour in 1972 (which Kirwan smashed his guitar prior to a show and refused to play on-stage), the 22-year-old guitarist was handed his walking papers. Kirwan then embarked on a solo career, issuing such obscure releases as 1975's Second Chapter (which saw the guitarist joined by ex-Chicken Shack members Andy Sylvester and Paul Raymond), 1976's Midnight in San Juan, and 1979's Hello There Big Boy!, before the once promising musician seemingly fell off the face of the earth. Rumors persisted throughout the '90s that Kirwan was by this time homeless and down on his luck, which he in fact confirmed himself in an interview with a London newspaper in 1993. But by the dawn of the 21st century, it appeared as though Kirwan had put his life back on track somewhat, while a 15-track compilation of his solo work, Ram Jam City, was issued in May of 2000.
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11267 - DANNY KIRWAN - HELLO THERE BIG BOY! (1979)

DANNY KIRWAN
''HELLO THERE BIG BOY!''
MARCH 21 1979
30:14
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1 Wings Of A Dove 02:45 (Danny Kirwan)
2 Gettin' The Feelin' 03:49 (Tony Rivers)
3 End Up Crying 03:47 (Kirby Gregory)
4 Caroline 03:01 (Danny Kirwan, Clifford Adams)
5 You 03:34 (Randy Edelman)
6 Only You 03:48 (Danny Kirwan)
7 California 02:35 (Adams, Dana Gillespie)
8 Spaceman 03:16 (Danny Kirwan)
9 Summer Days And Summer Nights 03:36 (Danny Kirwan)
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Danny Kirwan - guitars, vocals
Kirby Gregory - guitars
Bob Weston - lead guitar on tracks 2 and 5
Tex Comer - bass guitar
Fran Byrne - drums
John Cook - keyboards
Kevin Kitchen - electric piano
Chris Fletcher - percussion
Dana Gillespie - duet vocal on track 9
Tony Rivers, Stuart Calver, John Perry - backing vocals
Arrangements by Clifford Davis and Tony White
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REVIEW/AMG
Joe Viglione
This is not just a tremendous album by Danny Kirwan, this is an extraordinary set of recordings that makes one wonder "what if?" What if Fleetwood Mac had talents like Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, Danny Kirwan, Dave Walker, and Bob Welch come back to the fold for different projects? This is light pop on a mission, and it is perfectly produced by, of all people, Clifford Davis (though one should consider Kirwan's excellent production work on The Legendary Christine Perfect Album and wonder if the manager wasn't just putting his name on Kirwan's creative ideas). There's no denying that each tune here, from "End Up Crying" (which sounds like the soft rock Fleetwood Mac) to the final track, "Summer Days and Summer Nights," is superior pop music -- intricate guitar lines, a double-barrel keyboard approach by John Cook and Kevin Kitchen which is just lovely, and sterling vocals by Kirwan. The track "California" is more accessible than some of the popular versions of Fleetwood Mac, and given Bob Welch's success with French Kiss two years before the release of Hello There Big Boy!, it is surprising this was not embraced by both Top 40 and FM radio. "Spaceman" continues the smooth '70s pop that"California" introduced the listener to, the guitars more eerie, harking back to the Bare Trees period of Fleetwood Mac seven years earlier (which had so much of Kirwan's identity all over it). There was life before Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, and this cohesive work is proof of that; covering Randy Edelman's "You" is actually quite clever, the exiles of Mac having reputations more as singer/songwriters than as interpreters. This may be Danny Kirwan produced by Clifford Davis, the man who put the fake Fleetwood Mac onstage, but it is no fluke and it is no fake. Hello There Big Boy! is a great album from the singer/guitarist who, according to Mick Fleetwood's book My Twenty Five Years in Fleetwood Mac, "went beserk...smashed his head against the wall...(and)...was fired." Sounds like genius, and it is here on this recording for all to see -- and hear. A truly great comeback that sadly got lost in the shuffle of life.
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BIOGRAPHY/AMG
Greg Prato
Then Play On
Guitarist/singer Danny Kirwan was a member of Fleetwood Mac, helping to bridge their early blues-rock phase to their eventual conventional pop/rock approach, from the late '60s through the early '70s (just prior to the arrival of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham). Born Daniel David Kirwan in South London on May 13, 1950, Kirwan was spotted by Fleetwood Mac members Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood at the age of 18 fronting a local group called Boilerhouse. Green took the young guitarist under his wing, attempting to help Kirwan find other musicians to play with (that were up to his caliber), but when none where found, he was invited to join Green in Fleetwood Mac in August of 1968. Although Kirwan's presence helped inspire the band to issue such classic releases as 1969's Then Play On, 1970's Kiln House, 1971's Future Games, and 1972's Bare Trees, his fellow bandmembers quickly saw the dark side of the young musician, who was alcoholic and prone to mood swings.

Second Chapter
The situation began to put a strain on the group, and after one specific incident while on tour in 1972 (which Kirwan smashed his guitar prior to a show and refused to play on-stage), the 22-year-old guitarist was handed his walking papers. Kirwan then embarked on a solo career, issuing such obscure releases as 1975's Second Chapter (which saw the guitarist joined by ex-Chicken Shack members Andy Sylvester and Paul Raymond), 1976's Midnight in San Juan, and 1979's Hello There Big Boy!, before the once promising musician seemingly fell off the face of the earth. Rumors persisted throughout the '90s that Kirwan was by this time homeless and down on his luck, which he in fact confirmed himself in an interview with a London newspaper in 1993. But by the dawn of the 21st century, it appeared as though Kirwan had put his life back on track somewhat, while a 15-track compilation of his solo work, Ram Jam City, was issued in May of 2000.
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11266 - DANNY KIRWAN - MIDNIGHT IN SAN JUAN (1976)

DANNY KIRWAN
''MIDNIGHT IN SAN JUAN''
SEPTEMBER 1 1976
32:29
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1 I Can Tell 03:05
2 Life Machine 02:29
3 Midnight In San Juan 02:38
4 Let It Be 02:30 (John Lennon, Paul McCartney)
5 Angel’s Delight 02:49
6 Windy Autumn Day 02:41
7 Misty River 04:01
8 Rolling Hills 02:27
9 I Can't Let You Go 02:44
10 Look Around You 03:10
11 Castaway 03:50
Tracks By Kirwan, Except 4
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Danny Kirwan - guitars, vocals
Steve Emery/Bass Guitar
Jeff Rich/Drums
John Cook/Piano
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REVIEW/AMG
Joe Viglione
The first solo album from Fleetwood Mac singer/songwriter Daniel David Kirwan has the future producer for Human League and Buzzcocks, Martin Rushent, utilizing those skills here, as well as engineering. The sound is crystal clear, and a feather in the cap for Rushent as well as Kirwan. It starts off with an uncharacteristic "Ram Jam City," which has more Lindsey Buckingham sounds than one would expect, especially since the two guitarists come from two different musical worlds. "Odds and Ends" is more lighthearted, the kind of music Paul McCartney toyed with on The White Album's "Rocky Raccoon." What Second Chapter immediately sets forth is the importance of Kirwan as a pop artist, and how, despite Fleetwood Mac's success after he left, his sounds could still have been beneficial to that supergroup. "Hot Summers Day" is a fine example of that, a beautiful song that could offset Buckingham's gritty ramblings. It would have made a nice counterpoint as Stevie Nicks complemented Christine McVie's tunes with her adventures, bringing an important change of pace to that popular band's hits. The jacket looks like a dusty old family album-style book holding Kirwan's Second Chapter. And the music reflects that old-world feel in titles like "Skip a Dee Doo" and "Falling in Love with You." Three of the best songs on this excellent outing are "Love Can Always Bring You Happiness," "Second Chapter," and a sleepy and beautiful number called "Silver Streams." Kirwan's tune is haunting as well with its lilting "all you need is love to show you the way from here" chorus. As on a follow-up album, he tends to sound a little like the group America, the vocals with that same America tone and warmth. They very well could have covered "Silver Stream" or "Cascades," the album's final track. This material was crafted right in the middle of America's run of hits, and maybe they should have replaced Dan Peek with Dan D. Kirwan? The artist's three solo discs cut in the '70s make for a very pleasant and thought-provoking listening experience, and that this collection is so good only shows he kicked his departure from the big band off with a vengeance.
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BIOGRAPHY/AMG
Greg Prato
Then Play On
Guitarist/singer Danny Kirwan was a member of Fleetwood Mac, helping to bridge their early blues-rock phase to their eventual conventional pop/rock approach, from the late '60s through the early '70s (just prior to the arrival of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham). Born Daniel David Kirwan in South London on May 13, 1950, Kirwan was spotted by Fleetwood Mac members Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood at the age of 18 fronting a local group called Boilerhouse. Green took the young guitarist under his wing, attempting to help Kirwan find other musicians to play with (that were up to his caliber), but when none where found, he was invited to join Green in Fleetwood Mac in August of 1968. Although Kirwan's presence helped inspire the band to issue such classic releases as 1969's Then Play On, 1970's Kiln House, 1971's Future Games, and 1972's Bare Trees, his fellow bandmembers quickly saw the dark side of the young musician, who was alcoholic and prone to mood swings.

Second Chapter
The situation began to put a strain on the group, and after one specific incident while on tour in 1972 (which Kirwan smashed his guitar prior to a show and refused to play on-stage), the 22-year-old guitarist was handed his walking papers. Kirwan then embarked on a solo career, issuing such obscure releases as 1975's Second Chapter (which saw the guitarist joined by ex-Chicken Shack members Andy Sylvester and Paul Raymond), 1976's Midnight in San Juan, and 1979's Hello There Big Boy!, before the once promising musician seemingly fell off the face of the earth. Rumors persisted throughout the '90s that Kirwan was by this time homeless and down on his luck, which he in fact confirmed himself in an interview with a London newspaper in 1993. But by the dawn of the 21st century, it appeared as though Kirwan had put his life back on track somewhat, while a 15-track compilation of his solo work, Ram Jam City, was issued in May of 2000.
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11265 - DANNY KIRWAN - SECOND CHAPTER (1975)

DANNY KIRWAN
''SECOND CHAPTER''
SEPTEMBER 12 1975
33:48
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1 Ram Jam City 02:45
2 Odds And Ends 02:31
3 Hot Summer Day 02:42
4 Mary Jane 02:52
5 Skip A Dee Do 02:36
6 Love Can Always Bring You Happiness 03:10
7 Second Chapter 03:24
8 Second Chapter 03:25
9 Lovely Days 02:25
10 Falling In Love With You 02:14
11 Silver Streams 03:25
12 Best Girl In The World 02:30
13 Cascades 03:10
All Tracks By Kirwan
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Danny Kirwan - guitars, vocals
Andy Silvester - bass guitar
Paul Raymond - piano
Geoff Britton - drums
Jim Russell - drums, percussion
Gerry Shury - string arrangements
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REVIEW/AMG
Joe Viglione
The first solo album from Fleetwood Mac singer/songwriter Daniel David Kirwan has the future producer for Human League and Buzzcocks, Martin Rushent, utilizing those skills here, as well as engineering. The sound is crystal clear, and a feather in the cap for Rushent as well as Kirwan. It starts off with an uncharacteristic "Ram Jam City," which has more Lindsey Buckingham sounds than one would expect, especially since the two guitarists come from two different musical worlds. "Odds and Ends" is more lighthearted, the kind of music Paul McCartney toyed with on The White Album's "Rocky Raccoon." What Second Chapter immediately sets forth is the importance of Kirwan as a pop artist, and how, despite Fleetwood Mac's success after he left, his sounds could still have been beneficial to that supergroup. "Hot Summers Day" is a fine example of that, a beautiful song that could offset Buckingham's gritty ramblings. It would have made a nice counterpoint as Stevie Nicks complemented Christine McVie's tunes with her adventures, bringing an important change of pace to that popular band's hits. The jacket looks like a dusty old family album-style book holding Kirwan's Second Chapter. And the music reflects that old-world feel in titles like "Skip a Dee Doo" and "Falling in Love with You." Three of the best songs on this excellent outing are "Love Can Always Bring You Happiness," "Second Chapter," and a sleepy and beautiful number called "Silver Streams." Kirwan's tune is haunting as well with its lilting "all you need is love to show you the way from here" chorus. As on a follow-up album, he tends to sound a little like the group America, the vocals with that same America tone and warmth. They very well could have covered "Silver Stream" or "Cascades," the album's final track. This material was crafted right in the middle of America's run of hits, and maybe they should have replaced Dan Peek with Dan D. Kirwan? The artist's three solo discs cut in the '70s make for a very pleasant and thought-provoking listening experience, and that this collection is so good only shows he kicked his departure from the big band off with a vengeance.
********************
BIOGRAPHY/AMG
Greg Prato
Then Play On
Guitarist/singer Danny Kirwan was a member of Fleetwood Mac, helping to bridge their early blues-rock phase to their eventual conventional pop/rock approach, from the late '60s through the early '70s (just prior to the arrival of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham). Born Daniel David Kirwan in South London on May 13, 1950, Kirwan was spotted by Fleetwood Mac members Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood at the age of 18 fronting a local group called Boilerhouse. Green took the young guitarist under his wing, attempting to help Kirwan find other musicians to play with (that were up to his caliber), but when none where found, he was invited to join Green in Fleetwood Mac in August of 1968. Although Kirwan's presence helped inspire the band to issue such classic releases as 1969's Then Play On, 1970's Kiln House, 1971's Future Games, and 1972's Bare Trees, his fellow bandmembers quickly saw the dark side of the young musician, who was alcoholic and prone to mood swings.

Second Chapter
The situation began to put a strain on the group, and after one specific incident while on tour in 1972 (which Kirwan smashed his guitar prior to a show and refused to play on-stage), the 22-year-old guitarist was handed his walking papers. Kirwan then embarked on a solo career, issuing such obscure releases as 1975's Second Chapter (which saw the guitarist joined by ex-Chicken Shack members Andy Sylvester and Paul Raymond), 1976's Midnight in San Juan, and 1979's Hello There Big Boy!, before the once promising musician seemingly fell off the face of the earth. Rumors persisted throughout the '90s that Kirwan was by this time homeless and down on his luck, which he in fact confirmed himself in an interview with a London newspaper in 1993. But by the dawn of the 21st century, it appeared as though Kirwan had put his life back on track somewhat, while a 15-track compilation of his solo work, Ram Jam City, was issued in May of 2000.
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TO THE TOP
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