Prolific musician Les Fradkin – someone we’ve reviewed several times under group incarnation, California — returns with “Spare Change”; a remastered track pulled from his enormous catalog spanning decades in the music industry. And like most of Les Fradkin’s music, this is grand, orchestral classic rock that reminds one of music’s unlimited, expressive plateaus. Let’s break it down:
“Spare Change” was initially recorded in the 1980s when Fradkin formed a band with two more industry luminaries – Mick Ronson (a guitarist who played with David Bowie, Ian Hunter, Roger McGuinn, and Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Review), and Hilly Michaels (a drummer responsible for the hit tune, “Calling All Girls”). So, the talent here is top-notch, and the music certainly shows it.
Kicking off with a BIG guitar and three recurring piano chords (which create the melodic foundation), the song reminds me of John Mellencamp’s “Small Town,” but with broader shoulders and a denser, electric arrangement. And when the verse begins, we’re treated to Fradkin’s clean and concise vocals – they’re not the stuff of an overdramatic singer, but a comfortable plain-speak that clearly conveys the lyrics.
And after a brief pre-chorus featuring floating falsetto harmonies, the chorus hits with “SPARE CHANGE,” a phrase supported with a booming lower octave vocal.
The bridge? A few melodic guitar phrases that don’t detract from the song – they follow that three-chord foundation and twist with the quick transitional changes between each three-chord sequence.
The finale? After the bridge, the chorus returns with accompanying falsetto harmonies, and it repeats indefinitely while slowly fading away.
So, is it good?
Fradkin’s rock sensibilities are always on point. The musicianship is solid, the arrangements expansive, and the melody immediately catchy and whistle-worthy. If you miss the days of genuine songcraft and meaningful rock and roll, I have to, once again, direct your attention to Les Fradkin and ANY musical incarnation he takes. Recommended.
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