Search - Taco :: Puttin, on the Ritz

The best of the "Best Of"s.

VertigoXpress | USA | 07/19/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Taco's recording career went a lot further than "Puttin' On The Ritz", although without any of the success of that single. Although a massive chart presence in a number of countries, "Ritz" was seen as a novelty record, and truthfully it was. However, Taco continued, seemingly reaching for that greater success, but never getting beyond the cult fan base that he has garnered for himself.



Most of his work is out of print now; although he has at least four albums that have been released on compact disc, only two best-of compilations are readily available today. This collection wisely focuses mostly on his first two records, "After Eight" and "Let's Face the Music". Both of these records are Taco's best work, mixing campy remakes with originals that were written in the same style. "Let's Face the Music [And Dance]" is as good as "Puttin' On The Ritz", and items such as "Winchester Cathedral" and "Cheek To Cheek" have an undeniable buoyancy.



Most of the songs in this collection are Taco's covers, which is a shame because he has written (along with his songwriting team) some good stuff. Check out "After Eight", a weird ditty about a gigolo who sponges off of his girlfriend, a waitress named Kate. I guarantee it will stick with you after you hear it, if only because you'll be going "Huh?" That's the weird thing about Taco's music; either you get it, or you don't. You'd be right in calling it cheesy, but it's totally unlike anything else on the market. Like the music of ABBA (although obviously without the mass appeal of their work), Taco's music exists solely unto itself.



It's a shame that some of Taco's best tracks were left off of this collection. One of his originals, "Lassiter's Theme: Beware of the Winners", is an excellent track that was written with prolific film composer Ken Thorne for the 1984 movie "Lassiter" starring Tom Selleck. Sadly, it's left off of this CD, seemingly in favor of two obscure tracks. "Superphysical Resurrection" is apparently another original track that only appeared in the form of a single, and the less said about this number the better. "Got To Be Your Lover" is a much later single that came in the late 80s and was clearly an attempt to score a hit based on the Stock Aiken Waterman craze that was going on at the time; it's a memorable track, but it seems like Rick Astley could be singing it instead of Taco."

*****-- and many more stars after that...

Boy from the 80's | 03/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Needless to say, I love Taco's work, and this is definitely an ideal introduction to his material, if you're unable to find his original albums. (In the case of those, "After Eight" and "Let's Face The Music" are the natural highlights). "Puttin' On The Ritz" is a great song, and deservedly made the mythic Irving Berlin a success again, becoming a Top 10 hit in 1983 and making Berlin the oldest living songwriter to have a hit on the pop charts. Anyway, aside from bringing more attention to America's best songwriter, Taco was just a fantastic singer/songwriter on his own. The selection here is nice, and even mixes things up a bit at the end with "Superphysical Ressurrection" (from 1984) and "Got To Be Your Lover" (1989). If you're open-minded to alternate renditions of the old standards, then by all means get this album, and become a fan for life!"

Don't have it but want to

Eddie | Oklahoma City, Ok. | 03/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have heard the songs on this album. I have a cassette that does have lassiters theme on it. I like it. I also like superphysical resurection. Sadly that old worn out cassette is all of his I own. I bought it at a local music store on it's closeout table. I wish I had this album and plan to someday. Taco's work is indeed a novelty because his style and his choice of "era." It's not an era many in the 80's or today relate to. I however am one of the few who do and love his work from puttin on the Ritz (the first of his work I heard-I have or at least had the 45 of puttin on the ritz somewhere.) to Superphysical ressurection his most contemporary work as far as I'm concerned. There is an innocency that you don't find in most music artists. His themes are a throwback to a time when there were fewer threats to our sanity and better days were just around the corner."