Marshall Crenshaw

"Someday, Someway" UK 7" single sleeve (1982).

Marshall Crenshaw (born 11 November 1953) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he grew up in the suburb of Berkley. Crenshaw began playing guitar at age ten, and got his first break playing John Lennon in the off-Broadway company of the musical, Beatlemania. While in New York, he recorded a single for Alan Betrock's Shake Records, "Something's Gonna Happen," after which he was signed to Warner Bros. Records. Retro rocker Robert Gordon took Crenshaw's "Someday, Someway" to #76 in 1981, and Crenshaw's version made #36 the next year and would be his only Top 40 hit. Crenshaw's eponymous first album was acclaimed as a pop masterpiece upon release, proving him a first-rate songwriter, singer and guitarist. His second album, Field Day, sported a somewhat heavier sound which displeased some listeners, but Field Day is regarded by many critics as Crenshaw's best album[1], and one of the classic power pop statements, although Crenshaw's work, like Alex Chilton's, transcends the genre. "Some of the stuff I've done you could call power pop," he told an interviewer. "But the term does have sort of a dodgy connotation." Although Marshall Crenshaw has never sold enormous numbers of records, he enjoys a reputation as one of the finest songwriters of the era, with roots in classic soul music, British Invasion songcraft, Burt Bacharach and Buddy Holly—to whom Crenshaw was often compared in the early days of his career, and whom he portrayed in the 1987 film La Bamba. In 1989, he compiled a collection of Capitol Records country performers of the '50s and '60s called Hillbilly Music...Thank God, Vol. 1, which was extremely well-received. In 1993, he made an appearance in the cult TV show The Adventures of Pete and Pete, in the role of a guitar-playing meter reader. In 1994, he published a book, Hollywood Rock: A Guide to Rock 'n' Roll in the Movies. He continued to record in the 1990s and 2000s, and, in 1999, released the critically acclaimed #447. In the 2000s, Crenshaw played guitar as a special guest with the reunited members of the MC5. Crenshaw is also a noted guitarist who uses offbeat chord progressions (almost verging towards jazz) and tight leads.

Remakes

Many notable artists have recorded cover versions of Crenshaw's songs, including:^[1]

• "Whenever You're on My Mind" - covered by Marti Jones
• "Brand New Lover" - covered by Lou Ann Barton
• "Whatever Way the Wind Blows" - covered by Kelly Willis
• "Something's Gonna Happen" - covered by Robert Gordon
• "Someday, Someway" - covered by Robert Gordon
• "You're my Favorite Waste of Time" - covered by Bette Midler
• "Some Hearts" - penned by Diane Warren, covered by Carrie Underwood
• "Til I Hear It From You" - covered by Gin Blossoms

Discography

• Marshall Crenshaw (1982)
• WRIF LIVE At Hart Plaza - Rare Detroit Radio Station Promo (Vinyl Only)- Performed "Soldier Of Love", a Beatles song
• Field Day (1983)
• Our Town (U.S. Remix EP) (1984)
• Downtown (1985)
• Mary Jean & 9 Others (1987)
• Good Evening (1989)
• Life's Too Short (1991)
• A Collection [Promo Only] (1991)
• Live...My Truck Is My Home (1994)
• Miracle of Science (1996)
• The 9 Volt Years: Battery Powered Home Demos & Curios (1998)
• #447 (1999)
• This Is Easy! The Best Of Marshall Crenshaw (2000)
• Bug Music Presents: 14 High Class Tunes (2001)
• I've Suffered For My Art...Now It's Your Turn (2001)
• What's In The Bag? (2003)

External links

• The Marshall Crenshaw Page

References