The Emitt Rhodes revival

One of my favorite under appreciated artists, the great Emitt Rhodes is the one of the few (Badfinger being another) who took up the Beatlesque musical legacy right where Lennon-McCartney left it after the fab four broke up. Billboard magazine called him “one of the finest artists on the music scene today” (4/3/71) and later referred to his debut as one of the “best albums of the decade” (11/23/96.) Alternative Press described it as “essential listening…a true pop gem…” (2/96) It’s a shame that to your average person-on-the-street today, the name Emitt Rhodes doesn’t mean much. From his days as a member of The Palace Guard, The Merry Go Round, and then his solo work – Emitt was one of pop’s brightest and most melodic musicians. After getting chewed up and spit out by the music business, Emitt as faded into obscurity until recently. The new box set: The Emitt Rhodes Recordings 1969-1973 is a superb primer for those who want to hear this genius at work. It contains all remastered tracks (no bonus tracks) of his work that’s been out of print for over 30 years. It’s available on Amazon.

Emitt Rhodes Site | Amazon

Listen to one of my favorite tracks “Somebody Made For Me”

The Emitt Rhodes film documentary, “The One Man Beatles”, will premiere at the Rome International Film Festival on October 21st & 22nd. The film, which is in the running for best documentary in the festival, includes several songs which will be on the forthcoming CD performed live in the studio by the new Emitt Rhodes Band. English narration is currently being put together for the release in the USA. Is it me, or does this theme of the unsung musician sound familiar?