• Artist: Jim Carroll
• Flags: Lyrics are included with the album, Compilation (best of)
• Type: Compilation
• Rating:
• Styles: Punk, New Wave
• Track Picks: "Differing Touch," "Dry Dreams," "Them"

Review

NYC poet Jim Carroll is best known for his autobiographical novel, The Basketball Diaries, which later became a popular movie as well. But Carroll also fronted the Jim Carroll Band, who released three new wave/punk-influenced albums in the early '80s (1980s Catholic Boy, 1982's Dry Dreams, and 1984's I Write Your Name). Since Carroll's books deal with the seedier and/or sadder side of life (prostitution, homelessness, drug addiction, etc.), it's only logical that his songs would delve into the same subject matter. His semi-hit (and most popular song) "People Who Died" is highlighted here, and finds Carroll pulling no punches as he describes in lurid detail how many of his friends died. Other highlights include "I Want the Angel," "It's Too Late," and "Them," among others. Longtime Carroll fans will want to check out World Without Gravity: The Best of the Jim Carroll Band, since it contains two previously unreleased tracks (the studio outtake "Plain Division" and a live version of "City Drops into the Night"). Although Jim Carroll never achieved mass chart success, he's been able to gain the praises of such high-profile artists as Patti Smith and Keith Richards, no doubt due to his gripping and honest body of work. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	iTunes	Composers	Performers	Time
People Who Died		Jim Carroll	Jim Carroll	(5:01)
Work Not Play	...	Jim Carroll, Brian Linsley	Jim Carroll	(4:28)
Differing Touch	...	Jim Carroll, Jon Tiven, Sally Tiven	Jim Carroll	(2:30)
It's Too Late		Jim Carroll, Wayne Woods	Jim Carroll	(3:05)
Wicked Gravity		Jim Carroll	Jim Carroll	(4:58)
I Want the Angel		Jim Carroll, Brian Linsley	Jim Carroll	(2:51)
Them	...	Jim Carroll, Wayne Woods	Jim Carroll	(2:41)
City Drops into the Night [Live Version][#]	...	Jim Carroll, Brian Linsley	Jim Carroll	(7:02)
Dry Dreams	...	Jim Carroll, Paul Sanchez	Jim Carroll	(3:08)
Jealous Twin	...	Jim Carroll, Wayne Woods	Jim Carroll	(4:02)
Plain Division [#]	...	Jim Carroll, Jon Tiven, Sally Tiven	Jim Carroll	(4:31)
Voices	...	Jim Carroll	Jim Carroll	(2:57)
Lorraine	...	Jim Carroll, Brian Linsley	Jim Carroll	(6:06)
(No More) Luxuries	...	Jim Carroll, Paul Sanchez	Jim Carroll	(4:03)
I Write Your Name	...	Jim Carroll, Wayne Woods	Jim Carroll	(3:33)
Love Crimes	...	Jim Carroll, Lenny Kaye	Jim Carroll	(3:23)
Catholic Boy		Jim Carroll	Jim Carroll	(3:06)
Day and Night		Jim Carroll, Allen Lanier	Jim Carroll	(2:22)

Credits

Michael Shrieve (Drums), Jim Carroll (Vocals), Jim Carroll (Main Performer), Jim Carroll (Performer), Syd Straw (Vocals (Background)), Clarence Clemons (Tambourine), Walter Steding (Violin), Paul Sanchez (Guitar), Sarah Birdseye (Vocals (Background)), Valerie Block (Vocals (Background)), Randy Brecker (Trumpet), Tom Canning (Organ), Tom Canning (Keyboards), Michael Caravello (Percussion), Michael Caravello (Conga), Bob Clearmountain (Producer), Suzanne DelRegno (Vocals (Background)), Sammy Figueroa (Percussion), Bill Inglot (Digital Remastering), Lenny Kaye (Guitar), Lenny Kaye (Vocals (Background)), Lenny Kaye (Liner Notes), Kinny Landrum (Keyboards), Allen Lanier (Synthesizer), Allen Lanier (Keyboards), Will Lee (Bass), Brian Linsley (Guitar), Steve Linsley (Bass), Brian Marnell (Guitar), Brian Marnell (Vocals (Background)), Earl McGrath (Producer), David McLees (Compilation Producer), Gwynne Rivers (Vocals (Background)), Jon Tiven (Organ), Jon Tiven (Bass), Jon Tiven (Guitar), Jon Tiven (Keyboards), Jon Tiven (Producer), Anne Waldman (Vocals (Background)), Terrell Winn (Guitar), Wayne Woods (Drums), Wayne Woods (Vocals (Background)), Amy Kanter (Vocals (Background)), Sally Tiven (Guitar), Geoff Gans (Art Direction), Larry Lieberman (Compilation Producer), Laura Levine (Photography), Sevie Bates (Design)