With the possible exception of The Travelling Wilburys, I can think of no other band, whose members have contributed to so many classic albums as The Immediate Family. They have played with such illustrious luminaries as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, Carole King, Warren Zevon, Don Henley, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Neil Diamond, Stevie Nicks, Bon Jovi, the list goes on and on.
With such a CV, the quality was never going to be in doubt, and ‘The Immediate Family’ is a stellar album, worthy of admission to any discerning rock fan’s collection.
Given their massive contribution to the sound of soft California rock, the album rocks a lot harder than I expected. When you have three lead guitarists of the caliber of Danny ‘Kootch’ Kortchmar, Waddy Watchel, and Steve Postell – guys who really know their way around a fretboard – it really packs a punch.
From the chugging opener ‘Can’t Stop Progress’ through the whimsical, thoughtful, ‘Not Made That Way’ to the menace of ‘Fair Warning’, this is a record to play on repeat.
But when those lead guitars and vocals are Kootch, Waddy, and Steve Postell, the sound is rich, clean, and enticing.
‘Divorced’, is L.A. noir at its finest, reminiscent of one of Kootch’s previous collaborators. It reads like one of Don Henley’s twisted dark tales. ‘Life in the Lost/Lust Lane’ perhaps?
What happened to Sally? What happened to Joe? Living in the perfect neighbourhood. Living in the perfect home but the human condition has got a strange way of putting you down. You leave somebody or they leave you. You hit the wall and they do too. You never thought it would happen to you. Divorced! Living in the valley, dying on the 405. Divorced! Living in the valley, you couldn’t keep love alive.
Driven by a pulsating double guitar salvo, the vocals sound cynical, damaged, and true.
It’s clear the guys are having huge fun. Try ‘Turn It Up To Ten’ – a homage to rock, that toys with the notion of a Spinal Tap reference but instead professes the band’s genuine love of the music that they have contributed to so much over the years.
A stomping, sardonic reading of Waddy’s 90s co-write with Warren Zevon reminds one just how much the man is missed.
You won’t need a cab to find a priest. Maybe you should find a place to stay. Someplace where they never change the sheets and you just roll around Denver all-day. You just roll around Denver all day.
A booming live version of Zevon’s ‘Johnny Strikes up the Band’ is another great reminder of the sadly missed genius. An additional bonus is the band’s lilting version of ‘Somebody’s Baby’ – a “should have been” massive hit for Jackson Browne co-written by Kootch. The whole album just exudes class.
With a rhythm section of Leland Sklar on bass and the mighty Russ Kunkel on drums, how can this band go wrong? Leland Sklar, on his own, has appeared on 2,600 albums. That’s not a misprint – 2,600 albums!
In a live setting, I imagine this band will be something to see. Hopefully, as the pandemic eases, and safety concerns lift, we will get to see them this side of the pond.
Certainly, it will be a family reunion to look forward to.