Steve Goodman is the self-titled debut album of singer/songwriter Steve Goodman, released in 1971. It included both of his most well-known compositions: "City of New Orleans", first covered by Arlo Guthrie, and an early version of "You Never Even Call Me by My Name," which, with some modifications, was covered by David Allan Coe. In 1990 Sequel Records issued the album on CD.
The album was reissued on CD in 1999 and included two bonus tracks, "Election Year Rag" and "Georgia Rag". The album was a critical success, although a commercial failure.Paste, Steve Goodman – Unemployed
Reception
In reviewing the 1999 reissue, AllMusic critic William Ruhlmann called "City of New Orleans" the "obvious standout" and wrote, "At a time when sensitive singer/songwriters were all the rage (a trend that probably earned Goodman his record contract), this was one guy who was at least as interested in picking an old country song as he was in baring his soul." John Bauldie in Q described the album as "essentially a recording of the best of his folk club repertoire".
Track listing All tracks written by Steve Goodman, except where noted. "The I Don't Know Where I'm Going, But I'm Goin' Nowhere in a Hurry Blues" – 2:32 "Rainbow Road" (Donnie Fritts, Dan Penn) – 3:33 "Donald & Lydia" (John Prine) – 4:54 "You Never Even Call Me by My Name" (Steve Goodman, John Prine) – 4:24 "Mind Your Own Business" (Hank Williams) – 2:54 "Eight Ball Blues" – 4:24 "City of New Orleans" – 3:52 "Turnpike Tom" – 4:15 "Yellow Coat" – 4:44 "So Fine" – (Johnny Otis) – 3:19 "Jazzman" (Edward Mark Holstein) – 3:42 "Would You Like to Learn to Dance?" – 4:07 "Election Year Rag" - 2:03 "Georgia Rag" - 2:00
Personnel Steve Goodman – vocals, guitar David Briggs – piano Kenny Buttrey – percussion Vassar Clements – fiddle Norbert Putnam – bass Donnie Fritts – organ Bob Dylan – piano on "Election Year Rag" Ben Keith – dobro, guitar, pedal steel guitar Stephen Brunton – guitar, percussion, backing vocals Grady Martin – guitar Pete Wade – guitar Billy Sanford – banjo, guitar Bucky Willkin – guitar, backing vocals Kris Kristofferson – backing vocals Bill Swofford – backing vocals John Prine – backing vocals Charlie McCoy – harmonica, organ Martha McCrory – cello Gene Mullins – trombone Dennis Good – trombone Billy Puett – clarinet George Tidwell – trumpet
Production Norbert Putnam – producer Kris Kristofferson – producer Gene Eichelberger – engineer, mixing Gene Hazen – mixing Bob Cato – photography, design
References