Search - Scott Mccarl :: Play On

Why don't more people know about this release?

Record Producer | Burbank, CA | 11/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every once in a while you run into an album that nobody else seems to know about, and based on the fact that there are only two prior reviews for this CD on Amazon, and the last one is years old, I felt this listing needed an update.



Any fan of superb melodic pop/power pop/Raspberries/Badfinger/Jeff Foskett/Chris Cross/America, etc. will LOVE this superb album by Scott McCarl, who joined The Raspberries late in the game, just before their superb fourth and final album, STARTING OVER. Scott contributed mightily to that album, you can experience much more of his talents on his solo album PLAY ON. There are ten new songs as well as seven songs that provide some insight into his musical growth and direction through the years.



There isn't a bad track on the album, ranging from songs that would have fit right in on any Raspberries' album to a spectacular version of the Beatles' "Yes It Is." What's amazing is how fast this CD is over after you press "play." Not that the album is short, as it certainly isn't -- it has a generous amount of music on it. But it is all so good that you just enjoy it without thinking, and as they say, "time sure flies when you're having fun." The liner notes are wonderful as well, written by a friend of Scott's, and they're just perfect for this release.



If Scott felt it was important to do something to fight the rejection he'd faced throughout much of his musical life and just get these songs out so he could say "he did it," well, he did more than just "do it." He released one of the more enjoyable melodic pop albums in many a year, and one hopes that he has not given up on the musical world, as he obviously has a lot more to share with those of us lucky enough to be on the lookout for such future recordings."

SCOTT McCARL 's _Play On_ is my favorite album of '98!

David R. Rusnak | PA USA | 11/16/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Former member of the RASPBERRIES, SCOTT McCARL has released a *stunner* of a new CD entitled _Play On_.It contains ten newly recorded tracks and 7 bonus tracks from Scott's earlier years. Included on the new CD is Scott's remake of "Yes It Is"(sounding eerily like John Lennon). "Wait A Minute Girl" contains references to at least 8 or 9 Beatles songs in the final chorus. The flip side of the single, "In Love Without a Girl" is an interesting version of "This Boy" - combining the original Beatles vocal arrangement with George Martin's instrumental version-complete with strings-from the "Hard Day's Night" soundtrack. Also impressive is a reworked version of the Raspberries tune, "Nobody Knows" and the original voice and acoustic guitar demo, "Don't Make Me Sad", that Scott sent to Eric Carmen as his audition for the band. Again, the vocals come closer to Lennon's than just about anything else I've ever heard.I can't say enough about this release. Song for song, it's probably the BEST CD I have heard in years! Every song on the disc is excellent and many deserve TOP 40 smash status. It's THAT good!If you are remotely interested in Beatles influenced hook and melody-laden pop, please don't overlook this one. You won't be sorry! It's the kind of record that grabs you by the collar and smacks you across the face and buries itself in your brain. How often does that happen?"

An outstanding must-have CD from a very talented artist!

David R. Rusnak | 07/21/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Play On has got to be one of the best CDs I've heard in a long time. If you are a fan of the Raspberries, the Beatles or if you love Pop - Scott McCarl's CD will do it for you. Not only are the new tracks great, the "retrospective" tracks give a historical perspective you just can't get anywhere else. The liner notes by Scott and Tom Sorrells add even more zing to this truly "gotta have" CD. I've seen Scott McCarl perform in person, and I've got to say - he's every bit as good on CD! You won't regret buying this one."