Tuesday means it’s time to take a look back at a debut album but we’re switching it up just a little today. 1978’s City To City was not Gerry Rafferty’s solo debut but it was his first solo release in six years — and first release of any kind since 1975 — due to his tenure in the band Stealers Wheel and subsequent legal proceedings which prevented Rafferty from releasing any new solo recordings for the next three years.
When he did return, he did so with a vengeance. The arrangements are simply stunning. This wasn’t just Baker Street and a lot of filler. Focus on the brilliant apocalyptic Celtic folk of The Ark, the lovely ballads Right Down The Line, Whatever’s Written In Your Heart and Stealin’ Time, and the upbeat Home And Dry. Soak in the incredible Caribbean beat of Island in which saxophonist Raphael Ravenscroft proved that his solo on Baker Street was no fluke. City To City and its quasi-blue grass feel is mesmerizing and the bouncy Mattie’s Rag will have you tapping your toes. The album closer, Waiting For The Day showed Rafferty also knew how to rock out.
Often lost in the attention given Ravenscroft and his sax solo was the rest of the powerful band backing Rafferty: The brilliant (understatement) lead guitarist Hugh Burns, the thumping bass of Gary Taylor, the unbelievable keyboard skills of Tommy Eyre, and the steady beat of drummer Henry Spinetti.
Gerry Rafferty’s career was slowly but surely cut short by heavy drinking which ultimately led to his death, but on City To City, he gave us ten majestic songs, and the album remains to this day my all-time favorite.
Enjoy it … in its entirety.
Play button is on the left … Volume slider is on the right
‘City To City’ Album
The Ark (G. Rafferty)
Baker Street (G. Rafferty)
Right Down The Line (G. Rafferty)
City To City (G. Rafferty)
Stealin’ Time (G. Rafferty)
Mattie’s Rag (G. Rafferty)
Whatever’s Written In Your Heart (G. Rafferty)
Home And Dry (G. Rafferty)
Island (G. Rafferty)
Waiting For The Day (G. Rafferty)
