Somebody Else's Troubles


Somebody Else's Troubles is an album by singer/songwriter Steve Goodman, released in 1972. The record received favorable reviews but failed to sell. Goodman soon left Buddha Records and signed with Elektra Records. Bob Dylan contributes piano on the title song under the pseudonym of Robert Milkwood Thomas. The album was reissued in 1999 with two additional tracks.

Reception

Ian Dove of the New York Times wrote, "Mr. Goodman has been allowed to bring all his influences into the album, and as a result we get a fully rounded portrait of the artist. It is a deceptively casual album—'laid back' in the argot—recorded in Nashville and New York, but which has much strength and realism in its simplicity... Mr. Goodman's accompaniment is also kept simple and direct." Robert Christgau assigned it a "B" rating, indicating "...two consecutive songs about racing the sun, which is at least one too many. Tour de force: an a cappella ballad about a Vietnam widow. Arif Mardin found the proper setting for his young man's quaver." In reviewing the 1999 reissue, Allmusic critic Sharon Witmer wrote "This recording presents a good overview of the prodigious talent and gifts that Steve Goodman gave the music world."

Track listing

  1. "The Dutchman" – 4:18
  2. "Six Hours Ahead of the Sun" – 4:38
  3. "Song for David" – 3:06
  4. "Chicken Cordon Blues" – 3:03
  5. "Somebody Else's Troubles" – 3:48
  6. "The Loving of the Game" – 3:00
  7. "I Ain't Heard You Play No Blues" – 0:56
  8. "Don't Do Me Any Favors Anymore" – 3:33
  9. "The Vegetable Song " – 2:38
  10. "Lincoln Park Pirates" – 3:35
  11. "The Ballad of Penny Evans" – 3:37
  12. :Reissue bonus tracks:
  13. "I'm My Own Grandpaw" – 3:32
  14. "The Auctioneer" – 5:08

    Personnel