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Can You Fly

 
Album Review: Can You Fly

  • Artist: Freedy Johnston
  • Rating: StarStarStarStarHalf Star
  • Release Date: April 14, 1992
  • Total Time: 49:35
  • Type: Lyrics are included with the album
  • Genre: Rock

Review

A giant step forward from his likeable but ragged debut, Freedy Johnston's Can You Fly is a stunningly accomplished and coherent album that recalls the raw lyricism of such quintessentially American writers as Raymond Carver and Richard Hugo. Johnston sold his family's Kansas farm to finance the recording of Can You Fly, a fact that's cited in the record's opening line and reflected in several autobiographical songs about the guilty downside of pursuing a dream. Elsewhere, Johnston creates rich character studies of people who are vaguely aware that their lives have gone awry but aren't sure what to do about it. If Johnston's stories are bleak, however, the delicacy of his melodies and simple, clean production ensure that hearing them is downright exhilarating. Standouts include the wistful gambler's lament "The Lucky One," the tender "Mortician's Daughter," and especially the supernatural-tinged title track. Syd Straw contributes vocals on one track, the lovely duet "Down in Love." ~ Kristi Coulter, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Trying to Tell You I Don't Know Freedy Johnston Freedy Johnston (4:23)
In the New Sunshine Freedy Johnston Freedy Johnston (2:44)
Tearing Down This Place Freedy Johnston Freedy Johnston (4:10)
Remember Me Freedy Johnston, Gabriel Gordon Freedy Johnston (2:54)
Wheels Freedy Johnston Freedy Johnston (3:17)
The Lucky One Freedy Johnston Freedy Johnston (3:08)
Can You Fly Freedy Johnston Freedy Johnston (4:34)
Responsible Freedy Johnston Freedy Johnston (5:28)
The Mortician's Daughter Freedy Johnston Freedy Johnston (3:55)
Sincere Freedy Johnston Freedy Johnston (4:18)
Down in Love Freedy Johnston Freedy Johnston (3:04)
California Thing Freedy Johnston Freedy Johnston (2:59)
We Will Shine Freedy Johnston Freedy Johnston (4:41)

Credits

Marshall Crenshaw (Bass), Marshall Crenshaw (Guitar), Jon Rosenberg (Engineer), Graham Maby (Guitar), Alan Bezozi (Keyboards), Don Sternacker (Engineer), Knut Bohn (Vocals (Background)), John Siket (Engineer), Freedy Johnston (Vocals), Bob Rupe (Guitar), Freedy Johnston (Bass), Knut Bohn (Producer), Chris Stamey (Guitar (Electric)), Jared Michael Nickerson (Bass), Knut Bohn (Engineer), Lisa Wagner (Design), Mark Zoltak (Project Coordinator), Jane Scarpantoni (Cello), Knut Bohn (Mixing), Brian Doherty (Drums), Alan Bezozi (Percussion), Graham Maby (Producer), Alan Bezozi (Tambourine), Kevin Salem (Guitar), James MacMillan (Bass), James MacMillan (Engineer), Graham Maby (Bass), Larry Alexander (Mixing), Knut Bohn (Organ), Freedy Johnston (Guitar), Graham Maby (Vocals (Background)), Dave Schramm (Guitar (Steel)), Kenny Margolis (Accordion)
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Wikipedia: Can You Fly
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Can You Fly
Studio album by Freedy Johnston
Released April 14, 1992
Recorded Jan. 1991-Dec. 1991
Genre Alternative
Length 49:35
Label Bar/None Records
Producer Graham Maby, Knut Bohn
Professional reviews
Freedy Johnston chronology
The Trouble Tree
(1990)
Can You Fly
(1992)
This Perfect World
(1994)

Can You Fly is singer-songwriter Freedy Johnston's 1992 album. Most critics consider it Johnston's best work. Robert Christgau even called it "a perfect album."

In order to finance the recording of the album, Johnston sold off some farmland that he inherited from his grandfather. This decision is referenced in the opening lines of the leadoff track, "Trying to Tell You I Don't Know."

The song "California Thing" appeared on the soundtrack of the film Heavy, starring Liv Tyler and Deborah Harry.

Track listing

  1. "Trying to Tell You I Don't Know"
  2. "In the New Sunshine"
  3. "Tearing Down This Place"
  4. "Remember Me"
  5. "Wheels"
  6. "The Lucky One"
  7. "Can You Fly"
  8. "Responsible"
  9. "The Mortician's Daughter"
  10. "Sincere"
  11. "Down in Love"
  12. "California Thing"
  13. "We Will Shine"

References

  1. ^ Allen, Jim, "The Ten Best Albums of 1992", Fast Folk Musical Magazine, 6:9-10, (February 1993) p.12-13

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