Thursday, November 15, 2007

DAVID WERNER - Whizz Kid (1974)



Let's see, Mr. Werner has a myspace page (your music is great, Mr. Werner!!), and he uses the description found in the allmusic guide about this record, so I think it 's right to reproduce it here too:

David Werner's name doesn't roll off the tongue: he hasn't released an album since 1979, and only the most avid rock snob will have heard them -- because they're not in print anymore. Whizz Kid is a typically earnest debut that seemingly draws on its artist's record collection: Bowie and Mott the Hoople influences are present, and a little glam, too. (The original back cover shot of a heavily lipsticked Werner is priceless; he also calls his publishing company Sassy Brat Music!)



Here's the evidence, Your Honor!

Werner takes a more measured tack than his flashier brethren, though Mark Doyle's and Max Kendrick's guitars can pounce and snarl with the best of them. Songs alternate between mid-tempo rockers and plaintive ballads like "The Lady in Waiting" and "It's Too Sad," which offers encouragement to a lonely person ("but you're no one's clown/'cause they're the ones that have to grow"). "One More Wild Guitar" opens the album decisively, casting its rocker-versus-fogeyish-parents lyric as a coming-of-age story -- a theme he further develops on "The Death of Me Yet" and the title track ("everything I try to say somehow comes out crazy"). The musicianship isn't flashy, but it's first-rate throughout (especially Doyle and Kendrick, who carry most of the load). Werner addresses his inner life on the winsome "Love Is Tragic" and "A Sleepless Night," in which a rebuffed lover plays for more time. As if to ensure he's not playing things too straight, Werner trots out another Bowie-esque touch -- "Plan 9," a one-minute, free-associative spoken-word piece. The public may not have known how to read him, but David Werner was a distinctive artist, which may have worked against him. His style's definitely an acquired taste, but you'll never forget it once you hear it. ~ Ralph Heibutzki, All Music Guide


All I can add is that you'll probably going to love this gem as soon as you listen to it. Not an acquired taste at all; pure greatness!



Produced by Bruce Somerfeld / David Werner.



Carefully and lovingly transferred to 320Kpbs for your enjoyment.

Now when I was a young boy
you know I swore when I grew old
that I'd never get enough of
all that crazy rock and roll.

22 comments:

popcat said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
jchoma said...

Wow! Thank you! I've been looking for this album for ages. What a shame David's three albums have never made it to CD. With all the crap out there...sheesh.

bshears said...

What an incredible way to start. I have three copies of this album, thanks for making a better rip than I did. Welcome to the family of vinyl nuts, good to have you aboard.

bShears

popcat said...

Thanks for the kind comments and the welcome, guys! It's great to hear from you!
Watch this space for more Werner! (His s/t can be found at powerpopcriminals, in case you didn't know).

Anonymous said...

hey good luck with the blog! your off to a great start. AND PLEASE DON'T QUIT LIKE POWER POP LOVER!!

--.D.Moose

Anonymous said...

What a great post! I used to listen to this alot back in the '70s. Good luck with your new blog and thank you so much.

By the way, I've been looking for Michael Fennely's solo album(s)and I thought you might be able to help. Michael was in Crabby Appleton.

Thanks again.

Bob

popcat said...

Thanks, D. Moose. Anyhow, I feel Mr. Powerpoplover must be around somwhere.

Thanks, Bob. I think I may help you indeed. Give me a little time and I'll see what I can do.

jchoma said...

If you have David's "Imagination Quota," then I'll be one happy little monkey!

Keep up the great work!

Jim

bshears said...

A couple of acts that sort of follow the same path are Metro and Peter Godwin, be great if anyone has some to post, especially Future Imperfect

Anonymous said...

I was working for PYE Records, who distributed RCA, in Auckland, New Zealand when Whizz Kid was released.I used to play the album daily in the warehouse. Still can't believe that I was the only one who loved it. Still got my vinyl copy which is in pretty good nick, as I taped the album all those years ago. Just finished converting it to cd at home.It just shows the record company's know jack shit about decent music. This album received absolutely no promotion.

dmt said...

whizz Kid was never released on cd.i think its sad ,many other cd`s much worse were re-released on cd.this was and still is one of my favorite cd`s.i remember listening to it with my first wife before we married in the car on 8 track tape 1974-1975,.come on someone be brave enough to re-release it.

xianrex said...

Oh my.
I just lost my mind. I've been looking for David Werner since I got a hold of "The Ballad Of Trixie Silver" in an mp3 about six years ago. Thanks so much.

Anonymous said...

It's so great to see so much love for this hidden jewel. I am friends with David, and I've mentioned many times that it would be great to have his 3 LPS available as CD or in download form. I've toyed with converting my vinyl to wav files as well, but the real trick is to find the original masters somewhere....

prosediva said...

My brother played one of the "snarling and pouncing" guitars on this album. Good to see people still appreciate his craft!

Kris Kendrick

MMannis said...

I've always loved "Whizz Kid" and first heard it in Cleveland on the original progressive WMMS. My introduction to all the basis of music for my life! And back when napster was new, free and had everything, I was lucky enough to find the album, every track, for downloading. And listening to it again as I type. Finally, loved the third? album too, the black and white cover, and played it when I became a college DJ in New Orleans on WTUL. Great stuff.

Buster Maxwell said...

The great unsung genius of the glam era. I used to love to play David's music on Pittsburgh's WZUM-AM in 1974. He lived not far from our little progressive station in the woods, if I recall. David still works with Rob Deaner, a wonderful producer at Market Street Sound in the 'burg. Fantastic music.

Anonymous said...

You'll never know how long I have looked for this album (over 30 years?????), even looking in recird stores in England on a trip there once. I've had Imagination Quota and his third album on cassette ever since they were originally released, yet never found Whizz Kid anywhere. Many thanks for making it available, and it really is a super-rip - the audio quality is very very good indeed. Nice work, and thank you again!

popcat said...

Find dit here:
http://rapidshare.com/files/256013417/whizzk74.rar

jrznyc said...

i guess i got hre late but..i have always been a big fan. I have all three lp's, some singles and that live 12" from 79. i saw him twice at the bottom line in ny. met him afterwards. he and put me on a list for a gig in asbury park at the fast lane. they were so good. in high school i wrote to rca for promo stuff. since he had just exited the label they only sent some old press releases. i was thrilled. been to pittsburg several times(go steelers)and always think of him when i'm there.

gregtuco said...

Sorry to say, I've arrived late to the party- and I'm a Mott The Hoople fanatic (Bowie too). This is immediately likable as you stated, hardly something that would fit the description of "acquired taste"(?). I'm surprised he didn't make more of a commercial splash.

rrrrrocker said...

i found him in a cut out bin in the early 80's loved whiz kid my friends thought he was "gay"

kato said...

"Whizz Kid" was in the jukebox at a bar called the Down Under, near the Cleveland State University campus. I finally found the song online, first time I've heard it in over 35 years.

None of my friends, even a couple former record-store guys, remember Werner, and I've never heard him once on a classic-rock radio program. A shame.