Bob Neuwirth’s debut album is getting a fresh spotlight with a remix by John Hanlon. “Kiss Money” as a single captures the timeless nature of Neuwirth’s songwriting and his ability to capture deep, reflective themes. In this case, a country-rock lament reflecting on how cruelty becomes commonplace — the driving track elevated by exquisite steel guitar work of Ben Keith. The 50th anniversary reissue is slated for release on CD and vinyl on September 27 and digitally on October 31.
Neuwirth, known for his multifaceted six-decade career, has been described as “the best pure songwriter of any of us” by T Bone Burnett and “a shakespearean jester who’s wiser than all the rest” by Kris Kristofferson. Beloved by his musical community, Neuwirth brought together a mind-boggling collection of talent in January of 1974 to perform on his debut record: Kris Kristofferson, Roger McGuinn, Don Everly, Cass Elliot, Richie Furay, Rita Coolidge, Booker T. Jones, Chris Hillman, Geoff Muldaur, Dusty Springfield, Timothy B. Schmit, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Stephen Bruton and many more. The recording sessions turned into a legendary multi-day party, but in later years Neuwirth felt it didn’t sound like the debut he would’ve made if he was sober at the time.
Engineer John Hanlon reworked each track from new high-resolution/audiophile-quality digital transfers of the original 16- and 24-track analog tapes, bringing new power, clarity and presence to the recorded performances. It’s the upshot of a conversation Neuwirth began with Hanlon years ago.“Bob asked me, ‘Have you heard my first record? Would you listen to it and tell me what you think?’” says Hanlon. “I knew I’d get a great sound out of it. I would just approach it differently. I never tried to match what was originally there, because that was in 1974,” Hanlon said, adding that he was never given any specific directives by Neuwirth in regard to a remix before he died May 18, 2022 at age 82. The only thing he told Hanlon, the engineer recalled, was “‘Hey man, I know your work, OK? That’s all I need to say. I know your work and you know my work.’ So, I just approached it really organically and I just made it sound like great rock ‘n’ roll.”
Originally released on David Geffen’s Asylum Records, Bob Neuwirth is bookended by a pair of particular standouts, starting with “Rock and Roll Time” – which he co-wrote with Kristofferson and McGuinn.
Roger McGuinn on writing with Neuwirth: “You have to have a good imagination. Definitely being a painter, I think, helps. It’s the same thing with Joni Mitchell: she’s an imaginative songwriter who painted. Bobby had that gift, too.” For this reason, Neuwirth’s originals continue to be recorded to this day, including his co-write with T Bone Burnett, “Blue Hawaiian Song,” which Burnett just included on his new record The Other Side.
Whether in his music career or later in his life – helping those who struggled with addiction – it’s not only a singular talent but his dedication to those around him that makes Bob Neuwirth a truly one-of-a-kind figure in the history of rock and roll. And now his legacy lives on with this long-awaited reissue, timed to the 50th anniversary of his solo debut. A print of Neuwirth’s artwork is included with a limited supply of vinyl.
Bob Neuwirth will also be celebrated in an upcoming documentary, centered around tributes from friends and fans including T Bone Burnett, Sam Phillips, Steven Soles, David Mansfield, Happy Traum and Bob Thiele Jr and more. The film is directed by Claire Ferguson and Joan Churchill and produced by Paula Batson, Joan Churchill, Alan Barker and Chris Hegedus.
