Guilty pleasures: Sheryl Crow, "C'mon C'mon" (2002)

DERRICK: Old sayings get to be old sayings for a reason – there is usually a good bit of truth in them. I gave Sheryl Crow’s album "C'mon, C'mon" a spin based on the single 'Steve McQueen' and I thought yup - the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.

Crow plows the same orchards as the California rock legends she grew up on such as the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. Finally, she seems to have learned how to do it right more often than not.

You can sure hear vintage Buckingham Nicks in this album, in fact it’s likely what Stevie Nicks would be sounding like if she could just shake those 80’s pop/dance blues and get back to her roots.

Sure enough, both Nicks and Don Henley show up on schedule here with guest vocals as does Liz Phair, (where the hell has she been?) Lenny Kravitz, (him too?) Emmylou Harris and Gwyneth Paltrow. (Huh?)

Occasionally, you might hear a nasty little lick and think “damn that sounds like Keith Richards” and it might be since he is thanked in the liner notes as is Steve Earle, but I couldn’t find them credited in any of the song info.

The album kicks off with the previously mentioned Steve McQueen. I’d have to say I like it almost as much as my favorite Crow tune My Favorite Mistake. It’s a first rate, put it in you car and drive tune complete with Steve Miller style woo woos..... what’s not to like about that?

Next, Soak Up The Sun with Phair and I loved the nifty bass work by Jeff Trott who also co-wrote a lot of the songs with Crow. You’re An Original – at first I thought it was with Henley, but it turned out to be Kravitz.

Things chill out a bit with Safe And Sound and here you can really hear the Nicks influence. Stevie is right there on the next one with vocals on C’mon, C’mon and to tell you the truth, the two do sound good together.

It’s Henley’s turn next on the ballad It’s So Easy which would fit in nicely at your friendly neighborhood Eagles concert coming soon to an outdoor amphitheatre near you. Over You is an enjoyable song followed by another – Lucky Kid.

If KISS is smart (and billions of bucks in the bank say they are) they would cover this tune on their next "farewell tour." I thought of them for some bizarre reason during the song.

Nicks returns on Diamond Road which does exactly what the Bangles were trying to do before they got mixed up in that Egyptian stuff and self-imploded. The guitar work by Wendy Melvoin (of Prince and the Revolution fame) and John Shanks on the country rocker Abilene was first rate.

Hole In My Pocket is followed up by the fine Weather Channel which features Emmylou Harris and closes out what turns out to be a very enjoyable album.

Not a big Sheryl Crow fan here, but I am beginning to get with the program. Those that may not have cared much for her work may want to give this one a go – might change your mind as well. Her songwriting has really matured and she has surrounded herself with an excellent cast.

I’d have to say that all 13 cuts are strong without filler, and that’s rare enough these days to recommend an album wholeheartedly. I liked it first time out, which I don’t often do. I think this one will stand the test of time and hit the player more than just once.