Michael Fremer

The first Costello album backed by The Attractions released in March, 1978 on Radar in the UK and Columbia in America (with differing song lineups) cemented the singer’s leadership in the “angry young man” wing of the late ‘70’s “New Wave” musical explosion. More than expressing anger, the album was a full-blown misogynist outburst that contains some really nasty stuff starting with the opener “No Action,” which is filled some deliciously ugly obsessive/compulsive sentiments.

The 37 year old bassist Christian McBride apparently assembled the powerhouse quintet "Inside Straight" at the behest of Village Vanguard owner Lorraine Gordon, who told him he was welcome to play the legendary club anytime, but not with the “rock’n’roll” band he was playing with at the time.

The back story here is that in May of 1963, the Yardbirds’ first guitarist, “pimply” 15 year old Anthony “Top” Topham stepped on stage with the new group at the Eel Pie Island Club.

Dan Dyer sings mournfully,  earnestly and soulfully on these two direct to disc recordings produced at Chad Kassem's Blue Heaven Studios in Salina Kansas. He also plays keyboards and guitar and is accompanied by Michael Hale on drums and backup  vocals  and Mark Williams on bass and cello.