Started with a "4" and its dropping the longer this goes on.....
 

Really LOVE the cover artwork. It's GENIUS. Song is good too. Always respect Rickie!

 fredriley wrote: 
I'd say "Chuck E" is her most commercial, and least interesting, song, and almost unforgivable. I'd mute it, too.

I understand how you could feel that way about her voice, but I can't agree: It's one of the things that draws me to her. 

Never cared for her...

 Hannio wrote: 
jagdriver basically says the same thing about if the voice is grating, it doesn't matter how good the lyrics are (he cited Jackson Browne in particular.)  I understand this, but I think I'm more able to listen in "stereo" - the lyrics as one perspective, the vocals as the other. When one or the other isn't good for me, I can usually adjust my balance control and focus on the perspective that works for me. Maybe I won't have total enjoyment, but I'll have enough to appreciate the song.  And then there are songs where everything blends into a very tasty casserole.

Wonderful lyrics.  Amazing. 

 Cynaera wrote: 

Personally, I like her voice and her singing style.  Her subject matter and lyrics are icing on the cake.  But I have to sympathize with Fred.  If the voice is grating to you then it pretty much doesn't matter how good the lyrics are, you aren't going to enjoy the music.

 fredriley wrote: 
Mr. NottinghamJury, please get past a personal qualm about her voice, and focus on the lyrics and the music. And by the way - do you know the story about "Chuck E's In Love"?  Maybe if you did, it wouldn't be so harsh for you. This woman is amazing. Please don't write her off because her voice bugs you.  She writes from her soul and her experiences. She can improvise lyrics on the spot. She can open-tune her guitar like Joni Mitchell does and create songs in various "closets" of tunings.

Open your mind a little bit more, and forgive her for a song that was bad for you.  If you can't do this, you're pretty musically narrow-minded, and I know you're not...

 Bleyfusz wrote: 
My Sister Nancy Loves Rickie.  Tune is being played on RP now.  9

"Traffic from Radio Paradise"! The best

 wferrier wrote: 
What do you dislike about it?  It's an engaging illustration.

 fredriley wrote: 
I normally can't stand her, but this one is a good first step at redemption.

I've never forgiven herself for "Chuck E's in love" which is an auto-mute these days. There's something about her voice which really grates.

 RabbitEars wrote: 
Don't be shy, add Rickie herself.

love this song, love this album

I like it, but where did she find the Marboro, Johnny Walker Choir for the back up singers

 jhorton wrote: 
Oh, yes, and she still does Coolsville in her shows.

Oh, and to k_trout;

I respectfully submit that the line is "swimming asleep down oceans of joy". 

Wonderful, yes? -)

Astonishing range of comments.  In my opinion you are all listening to a genius at work.  Pure genius.

Rickie Lee has been around a long time and she hasn't lost so much as a half-step. WAY TO GO, MS. JONES!

 Odyzzeuz wrote: 
You should hear how they talk in Texas.

Genius singer.

Wicked mediocre song.

Does anyone remember, " Coolsville?" 

very few songs touch me the way this one does - absolutely outstanding
A fire within, no cross, no crown
Running from mercy, hidden and coy
Swimming upstream down oceans of joy

People really like this album cover art?!? That's fucked up. .  .

grimmel wrote:

I *thought* that was him!!

That adenoidal, nose-plugged tonality is excruciating.

Do you hear Leo Kottke singing back up?

like the cover art, thats about it.

Love ya Ricki Lee!
Stunning, actually, so close to a 10 it ain't funny!

yclept wrote:

Loves me some Tom Waits. Love love loves me some Leonard Cohen. Lerve the Be Good Tanyas. Ricky Lee Jones, not so much.

I'm not sure you can generalize about peoples' tastes based on whether they like RLJ.