"I was vaguely familier with Eddie Money's music, back in the late 70's during my adolescent years by hearing his songs on the radio. I was in High school in 1980 and remember when this album was released. I can still remember seeing his performance of Trinidad on the Midnight Special while promoting the new album. It's a great Eddie Money album. The first three releases of: Eddie Money, Life for the Taking, and Playing For Keeps make one solid trilogy of work. Jimmy Lyons guitar work is simply phenomenal.
I've never understood why this cd was not as widely available as his first two? To me, it's just as good. I was lucky enough to spot a copy of this in my local record store back in the early 90's and purchase it before it went right back out-of-print, seemingly ever since. I once heard an interview with Eddie in the mid-eighty's (possibly on Rock-Line) where he commented on this album saying "instead of going Gold, it went straight to cardboard". Obviously, sales of this album were very poor, and the record company has never forgotten that. His other two albums did produce a few hits like "Two Tickets to Paradise" and "Baby Hold On" but, an album doesn't have to have a "Hit" to be good. Hopefully, if Eddie's catalog of work is ever "remastered" the fans will finally get to purchase this gem without spending a fortune.
If you can get a copy, grab it! You won't be dissappointed."
Great Stuff from a guy who doesnt get much credit
clasikrocjunki05 | MA | 07/03/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"well first I want to say Eddie and his band doesnt get enough credit for their tunes. this album is a great one. from the tracks "The Wish" and to others as "Get A Move On" the last track "Million Dollar Girl" are all good driving songs. and as always his voice is ever amazing. people ask me how I get into this kind of music because im pretty young. I tell them well this is when music was music and when it was done for the pure enjoyment and the fun of just writing and making records. and they always say back yeah you're right. I looked for this album for a looong time and finally got it off ebay for yah 22 bucks but well worth it. if your a fan of this group then if you see it somewhere pick it up bc its out of print. so grab it and spin it. keep rockin."
Best of the Eddie Money Albums
Greenmountains | USA | 01/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I happened to see Eddie Money in concert a few weeks before his very first album came out in 1977. I was in college at Bama and since he was unknown at the time the crowd was very small. In the years following I played all the early albums quite a bit and noticed the progression of sound as the albums went by. This, the third, (summer of 1980) was my favorite. It best blends the songwriting team's strenghts and understated but creative guitar work of Jimmy Lyons. The first 3 albums appeared to me at the time as a strong collaboration between Lyons and Money. The songs "Trinidad," and "Million dollar girl" form a combination (the first and last tracs) that are only matched by the "Two tickets" and "Jealousies" tracs of the first album. The characteristic early years hint of optimism in the lyrics, coupled with the tasteful mix of clean + distorted guitar stylings (Lyon), makes "Playing for Keeps" Money's most listenable album. (nothing fancy, but consider for example the treble guitar riffs in Trinidad). Others may favor Money's later efforts, but this reviewer will hold-on to the third album as the one to keep."
Back seat memories
Walter E. Plitt IV | Charlottesville, Virginia USA | 01/23/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It was 1980. I was a sophomore in high school, life guard on South Padre Island and cruising in a 1980 Cutlass Supreme. Yeah...those were the days. This album was a mainstay in my cassette player, just as James Taylor, Boston and Zebra (remember them?). This was his best and merits another listen. You won't be disappointed and you just might think your back, well...you know where."
Underrated Edward Dinero CD/LP
Francis P | North Dakota | 03/05/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album was a "flop" back when it was originally released, but now, living in the age of grunge & techno, this album is better now. Here's my take on the tracks from this album:
1. Trinidad (Great lead off track to introduce you to the album)
2. Running Back (The reason this LP was a flop-Eddie Money is a rocker!)
3. The Wish (My favorite on the album - pure classic Money!)
4. Get a Move On (Another solid Eddie rocker - great highway song)
5. When You Took My Heart (A good "cool" rock song. Great lead off to...)
6. Satin Angel (Basically the title track-has hints of "can't keep a
good man d-d-down!". Classic tough Eddie!)
7. Let's Be Lovers Again (Cool duet; almost a preview to "Take me home tonight" )
8. Nobody Knows (Another decent upbeat song)
9. Million Dollar Girl (Great ending "blue collar rock" track)
My only complaints were -the song "Running back" which wasn't true Eddie and I believe that when most people bought the LP back in the day only got halfway through this song and ditched the rest of the album. -Another complaint was that there were only 9 tracks on the album. I'm sure Eddie & the boys could've came up with a hard edged rocker.
Overall Eddie Money was too hard on himself concerning this album - every great artist had a "bargain bin" album. Too bad a CD costs so much. Try the vinyl or cassette version first before forking out the big bucks for the CD.