Joey Ramone was a hero of punks and rockers everywhere. The 70's kicked
into high gear and punk became the new war cry for nonconformist across
the globe thanks to Joey and has leather clad brothers. Joey was the
iconoclastic leader of "The Ramones," A Brooklyn based band that played
high speed punk songs under three minutes long. I loved Joey for his
attitude and what he stood for. His presence in music will be severely missed.
He left behind a final testament to his greatness with a knockout
punch of an album called "Don't Worry About Me," his only solo album.
What a great album this is! There isn't a dead horse found on this
CD. Things begin with Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" of
all things, and its damned good, it surprised the hell out of me I
must say. "Venting (It's a Different World)" talks about politicians
talking out their assholes…you called them like you saw them Joey.
His undying spirit and strength is witnessed in "I Got Knocked Down
(But I'll Get Up)" as he sings about being stuck in a hospital bed
watching TV and how he wants to live his life. I don't think he was
planning on leaving us so soon, but I guess God had other plans for
him. His voice is very strong and versatile, showing how he could
go beyond all of the simplistic material that his legendary band had
to offer. He covers a lot of ground on this release, jumping around
from straight up rock and garage to the bang your head raw punk rock
of an "Iggy & The Stooges" song called "1969," then reverting back
to a wacky pop laced ditty called "Mr. Punchy." He doesn't keep things
short and sweet, he allows each song some breathing room while allowing
it plenty of time to develop and take shape around his voice.
Yes, there was much more to Joey Ramone then he led us to believe.
He left us with the complete story before he left, finishing his circle
of his life and his music. This is one of the best albums you will
hear this year, you can count on it. It's going to be a more psychologically
bruising reality without you Joey. The only thing left to comfort
us all is your music, we thank you for that. Like the man says- "Live
your life to the fullest and fuck everything." Hey Ho! Let's Go!
Songs:
1. What a Wonderful World (Ramone/Thiele/Weiss) - 2:23
2. Stop Thinking About It (Ramone/Shernoff) - 2:57
3. Mr. Punchy (Ramone) - 2:35
4. Maria Bartiromo (Ramone) - 3:58
5. Spirit in My House (Ramone) - 2:02
6. Venting (It's a Different World Today) (Ramone) - 3:17
7. Like a Drug I Never Did Before (Ramone) - 2:04
8. Searching for Something (Maddy/Ramone) - 4:12
9. I Got Knocked Down (But I'll Get Up) (Ramone) - 3:42
10. 1969 (Alexander/Asheton/Asheton/Osterberg/Ramone) - 3:40
11. Don't Worry About Me (Ramone) - 3:55
Credits:
Captain Sensible - Vocals (bckgr)
Frank Funaro - Drums
Joe McGinty - Keyboards
Jerry Only - Bass
Joey Ramone - Vocals
Daniel Rey - Guitar, Vocals (bckgr), Producer, Engineer
Andy Shernoff - Bass, Vocals (bckgr)
Al Maddy - Bass, Guitar, Vocals (bckgr)
Mickey Leigh - Guitar, Vocals (bckgr), Executive Producer
Dr. Chud - Drums
