MARSHALL CRENSHAW

'Marshall Crenshaw' (born November 11 1953 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. He grew up in the suburb of Berkley. Crenshaw began playing guitar at age ten, and got his first break playing John Lennon in the off-Broadway company of the musical, Beatlemania. While in New York, he recorded a single for Alan Betrock's Shake Records, "Something's Gonna Happen," after which he was signed to Warner Bros. Records. Retro rocker Robert Gordon took Crenshaw's ''Someday, Someway'' to #76 in 1981, and Crenshaw's version made #36 the next year.
Crenshaw's eponymous first album was acclaimed as a pop masterpiece upon release, proving him a first-rate songwriter, singer and guitarist. His second album, ''Field Day'', sported a somewhat heavier sound which displeased some listeners, but ''Field Day'' is regarded by many critics as Crenshaw's best album[1], and one of the classic power pop statements, although Crenshaw's work, like Alex Chilton's, transcends the genre. "Some of the stuff I've done you could call power pop," he told an interviewer. "But the term does have sort of a dodgy connotation."
Although Marshall Crenshaw has never sold enormous numbers of records, he enjoys a reputation as one of the finest songwriters of the era, with roots in classic soul music, British Invasion songcraft, Burt Bacharach and Buddy Holly--to whom Crenshaw was often compared in the early days of his career, and whom he portrayed in the 1987 film ''La Bamba''. In 1989 he compiled a collection of Capitol Records country performers of the '50s and '60s called "Hillbilly Music...Thank God, Vol. 1," which was extremely well-received. In 1993 he made an appearance in the cult TV show The Adventures of Pete and Pete, in the role of a guitar-playing meter reader. In 1994 he published a book, ''Hollywood Rock: A Guide to Rock 'n' Roll in the Movies''. He continues to record, and in 1999 released the critically acclaimed ''#447''.
He is also an underappreciated guitarist whose use of offbeat chord progressions (almost verging towards what can only be called Jazz) and tight leads brings joy to the listener who appreciates such artistry.
Crenshaw has recently been playing guitar with the reunited members of the MC5.

Contents

Remakes

Discography

External link

References

Remakes

Many notable artists have recorded cover versions of Crenshaw's songs, including:^[1]

★ "Whenever You're On My Mind" - covered by Marti Jones

★ "Brand New Lover" - covered by Lou Ann Barton

★ "Whatever Way the Wind Blows" - covered by Kelly Willis

★ "Something's Gonna Happen" - covered by Robert Gordon

★ "Someday, Some Way" - covered by Robert Gordon

★ "You're my Favorite Waste of Time" - covered by Bette Midler

★ "Some Hearts" - covered by Carrie Underwood

Discography

★ ''Marshall Crenshaw'' (1982)

★ ''WRIF LIVE At Hart Plaza - Rare Detroit Radio Station Promo (Vinyl Only)- Performed "Soldier Of Love", a Beatles song

★ ''Field Day'' (1983)

★ ''Our Town (U.S. Remix EP)'' {1984}

★ ''Downtown'' (1985)

★ ''Mary Jean & 9 Others'' (1987)

★ ''Good Evening (album)'' (1989)

★ ''Life's Too Short'' (1991)

★ ''A Collection [Promo Only]'' (1991)

★ ''Live...My Truck Is My Home'' (1994)

★ ''Miracle of Science'' (1996)

★ ''The 9 Volt Years: Battery Powered Home Demos & Curios'' (1998)

★ ''#447'' (1999)

★ ''This Is Easy! The Best Of Marshall Crenshaw'' ( 2000)

★ ''Bug Music Presents: 14 High Class Tunes'' (2001)

★ ''I've Suffered For My Art...Now It's Your Turn'' (2001)

★ ''What's In The Bag?'' (2003)

External link

★ The Marshall Crenshaw Page

References

1. The Cover Project, "Marshall Crenshaw"