BY ELENI P. AUSTIN
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Marshall Crenshaw returns to Pappy & Harriet’s on Friday, February 16th. The legendary musician first made waves with the release of his eponymous debut back in 1982.
An instant classic, it distilled the Michigan native’s myriad musical influences. Hints of Rockabilly and R&B happily coexisted alongside Power Pop, Country and primitive Rock & Roll. Critical acclaim was immediate and unanimous. The single “Someday, Someway” reached the Top 40, and songs like “Cynical Girl,” “Mary Anne” and “There She Goes” cemented his reputation as a protean songwriter. The album peaked at #50 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Over the last 42(!) years, Marshall has continued to make crisp and concise records, beginning with Field Day, Downtown, Mary Jane & 9 Others and Good Evening in the ‘80s. The ‘90s saw the release of Life’s Too Short, Miracle Of Science and #447, as well as a live album, My Truck Is My Home. During this era, he also embarked on an acting career, appearing in Francis Ford Coppola’s Peggy Sue Got Married and Taylor Hackford’s Ritchie Valens biopic, La Bamba. In the latter, he rather fittingly played his ‘50s doppelganger, Buddy Holly.
A bit of a polymath, he’s produced the Capitol Records compilation, Hillbilly Music…Thank God, written a book, Hollywood Rock: A Guide To Rock & Roll In The Movies” and even hosted a weekly radio show. He also co-wrote the massive Gin Blossoms hit, “Until I Hear It From You” and was nominated for a Golden Globe and a Grammy for writing the title track to the hilarious John C. Reilly film, Walk Hard.
Since the dawn of the 21st century, he’s released three long-players, What’s In The Bag, Jaggedland and #392: The EP Collection. He’s currently working on a documentary about music producer Tom Wilson and he recently partnered with YepRoc Records, re-releasing and remastering his first two albums, with more of his catalog to come.
Although Marshall was solo for his last Pappy’s show, this time out, he’s brought along a killer band. Fernando Perdomo, who has released several amazing solo albums, as well as produced well-received records from Cait Brennan, Danny Henry and Ken Sharp (just to name a few) is playing guitar. Singer-songwriter Derrick Anderson (check out his brilliant 2018 debut, A World Of My Own) has played bass for The Bangles, Dave Davies, The Smithereens and occasionally The Cowsills. Mark Ortmann is best known as drummer for The Bottle Rockets.
An Evening With Marshall Crenshaw, Pappy & Harriet’s Friday, February 16, 2024/General Admission, All-ages, Indoor Stage Doors: 8:30pm Show: 9pm. 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown.
