Not so lonely boy live in 1978

Despite his indelible 1977 hit “Lonely Boy,” Andrew Gold has still been heard by many more listeners than have heard of him. That’s because his own recordings (which include “Thank You For Being a Friend” before it was reworked as the theme of The Golden Girls, and the UK hit  “Never Let Her Slip Away”) never achieved the same level of immortality as the records he produced, arranged and played on for others. Notably, his work on Linda Ronstadt’s Heart Like a Wheel was elemental to the chart topping success of “You’re No Good” and its follow-up “When Will I Be Loved,” as was his presence in Ronstadt’s band on her memorable string of 1970s albums for Elektra/Asylum.

Gold was in demand as a musician throughout the mid-70s, augmenting his regular gig with Ronstadt by contributing to records by Maria Muldaur, Rita Coolidge, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Art Garfunkel, J.D. Souther, Carla Bonoff and many others. At the same time, he developed a solo career, and his second album, 1976’s What’s Wrong With This Picture?, yielded the semi-autobiographical chart hit “Lonely Boy,” which also led to increased touring opportunities. This live set was recorded on the closing night of Gold’s 1978 U.S. tour, performed in front of a wildly enthusiastic hometown audience at Hollywood’s Roxy Theatre.

By the time Gold returned to Los Angeles in April of 1978, his single “Thank You For Being a Friend” had been on the Billboard chart for six weeks, and his third album, All This and Heaven Too, had just been released. The setlist included his hits, album tracks from his first two albums, and a generous helping of material from his then-new release. He also reached back to two of his primary influences with rocking covers of Chuck Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven” and the Beatles’ “Doctor Robert.” The latter, the only track here that’s been previously released, provides Gold and his longtime compatriot Bruce Walsh an opportunity to demonstrate their Lennon/McCartney vocal chops.

Gold’s band was hand-picked from the players he’d met in studios and on the road, and featured deep instrumental and vocal backing talent. By tour’s end they were a well-honed unit, playing the set with both precision and grace. Although you can find a few of Gold’s live performances on YouTube, only a few lives tracks have ever been officially released (and then as bonus tracks on reissues). Hearing a full set, recorded at the height of Gold’s powers, is a tremendous treat for his fans. Gold’s passing in 2011 closed the book on his catalog, but this crisply recorded live performance offers a fetching look back at a singer, songwriter, arranger, player and beloved bandleader whose talent vastly outpaced his personal fame. [©2015 Hyperbolium]

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