JOHN STEWART : GOLD

 

Disc One (72:28)

  1. California Bloodlines
  2. Omaha Rainbow
  3. Pirates of Stone
  4. Mother Country
  5. July, You're a Woman
  6. Julie, Judy Angel Rain
  7. Oldest Living Son
  8. Great White Cathedrals
  9. Willard Stewart
  10. Freeway Pleasure
  11. Touch of Sun
  12. Bolinas Stewart
  13. Crazy Stewart
  14. Kansas Rain
  15. Light Come Shine
  16. Durango
  17. Anna on a Memory
  18. All Time Woman
  19. Road Away
  20. Amstrong/Spirit
  21. Cannons in the Rain

Disc Two (76:45)

  1. Hung on the Heart (Of a Man Back Home)
  2. Some Kind of Love
  3. Josie
  4. 18 Wheels
  5. The Last Hurrah
  6. Gold (with Stevie Nicks)
  7. Lost Her in the Sun
  8. Midnight Wind
  9. Wind on the River
  10. Nightman
  11. Wheels of Thunder
  12. The Queen of Hollywood High
  13. Jenny Was a Dream Girl
  14. Angeles (The City of Angels)
  15. Sweet Dreams Will Come (with Nanci Griffith)
  16. Runaway Train
  17. Midnight of the World
  18. Shadows of the Angels Wings
  19. Daydream Believer
  20. I Remember America

Label : Wrasse Records

Release Year : 1999

Review (AllMusic) : John Stewart's Gold is a spectacular two CD, 41 song best of compilation. It is perfect for the casual fan...if there is such a thing. Stewart has a diehard cult of fans who probably have every LP or CD they can get their hands on anyway, and that's quite a task considering the bulk of the former Kingston Trio member's early solo output is shamefully either out of print or only available as expensive imports. Gold collects everything from Stewart's singer/songwriter acoustic work to his rock-oriented songs, including his only three Top 40 hits, all from 1979's Bombs Away Dream Babies: "Gold," "Lost Her in the Sun," and "Midnight Wind." The 1969 critical favorite California Bloodlines is represented by five remarkable songs including the title track, "Mother Country," and "July You're a Woman." "Durango," "All Time Woman," and "Cannons in the Rain" are other fine examples of early Stewart, but "Armstrong/Spirit" is the best illustration. This poignant song about Neil Armstrong's moon landing and its unifying effect on problem-filled Earth is resonant in its dignified simplicity. "Hung on the Heart" and "Runaway Train" are highlights of disc two, but of particular note are "Sweet Dreams Will Come and "I Remember America." The former is a joyous bluegrass/folk/rockabilly duet with Nanci Griffith while the latter, although a tad curmudgeonly, recalls America's pre-JFK-assassination promise and laments modern society's breakdown. Gold includes an essay by John Tobler, but it lacks musician credits, which would document the caliber of "anonymous" session aces - particularly those in Nashville - and high-profile stars who have worked with Stewart over the years.