 |
 |
Sleeve Notes
When I first heard about The Washington Squares, I was intrigued … but suspicious. Berets? Shades? Bongos? "What's this?" I wondered out loud, "Folk nostalgia? Beatnik chic?"
Out of curiosity, I invited them to be guests on my Mixed Bag program on WNEW-FM. As soon as they picked up their guitars and started singing, my doubts were put to rest in an instant. The Washington Squares are the real thing. Their 80's brand of new wave folk is very refreshing indeed. They have tremendous respect for the great folk tradition of the past, but their feet are planted firmly in the present, and their eyes are focused clearly on the future. Besides, it's OK again to be a folkie. Look at the evidence. Joan Baez opened Live Aid. Bob Dylan closed it. Judy Collins and Peter, Paul and Mary are back making great records. And Bruce Springsteen covered This Land Is Your Land on his latest album. But if these ripples are destined to blossom into a full blown trend, then it will almost certainly depend on the next generation of talented newcomers. That's where The Washington Squares come in. Lauren Agnelli, Tom Goodkind and Bruce Paskow are bright, articulate, committed young musicians who don't take anything too seriously, least of all themselves. I'm delighted that they've been given this opportunity to test the waters and knock down a few walls in the process.
As with all groups who shine so brightly in live performance, the last remaining question mark was whether or not that sense of spontaneity and fun could be captured on a studio recording. Not to worry. This is a very good debut album. It fairly crackles with the intensity and excitement of The Squares at their best. The songs just about leap out of the speakers at you. Try it. Just drop the needle in the grooves, push the cassette button, or program the CD, and you'll hear for yourselves. Huey Lewis is right. It's hip to be Square(s)!
Pete Fornatale
Mixed Bag
WNEW-FM, New York
The Squares and Gold Castle wanted a hip street rocker with a big name to do some "liner notes", so I helped 'em send off this recording and that request to the manager of "Mr Cool", and we waited. And in the waiting, I just got to thinking that not enough people know enough about The Squares to write the liner notes.
Not enough people know that all of these guys are refugees from underground new wave bands that saved many of us from losing our musical minds in the late 70s.
Not enough people realize that the songs Tom has penned here can make you cry, and the ones he didn't already have in years gone by.
Not enough have felt the strength you will feel when you hear Lauren's pleading voice on Lay Down Your Arms.
Not enough people know that everything from Rockabilly Guitar to Pete Townshend Guitar takes on a whole new meaning in the hands of Bruce Paskow, or that his sense is in a league with Rodney Dangerfield.
And not enough people know that Billy Ficca is from one of history's greatest bands ever — Television … or about the strikes The Squares have played for in Berkeley, or the benefits with Pete Seeger, Richie Havens and Odetta at Carnegie Hall... or about the paralyzing chill you will feel when their first harmony hits.
For me, it's been the live shows, from New York City's CBGB's, to The Speakeasy, to Carnegie Hall … until now … finally, the recording for my living room.
Well, enough people do understand a thread, and there is one here. From Woody Guthrie to The Weavers to Buddy Holly to Bob Dylan to Peter Paul and Mary to The Patti Smith Group to The Washington Squares.
By the way, The Squares and Gold Castle finally asked me to say a few words, and I'm glad I got the chance. Now, take this out, start with Samson and Delilah and start LOUD. And do it LIKE NOW, LIKE NOT LATER
Meg Griffin NYC 1987
K-ROCK
PS — Did LOU ever get back to you, Tommy?