John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band - Tough All Over

JC ROCKS!

I was fortunate enough to catch John Cafferty and Beaver Brown shortly after the EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS movie came out and they were superb. I also have that soundtrack on vinyl as well as this record on vinyl and find both to be excellent. Do they sound like Springsteen at times?...sure...but so what. I have never been a Springsteen fan but JC and his boys suit me just fine, go figure!

This is good, solid, no-frills rock music. Well played and highly enjoyable. My favorite tracks are TOUGH ALL OVER, SMALL TOWN GIRL and VOICE OF AMERICA'S SON. Good stuff! December 11, 2005

The Beaver Brown Band Has Their Moments Too!

Following the success of lending the voice to the soundtrack (and movie) of "Eddie and the Cruisers", John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band went on to release their own CD entitled "Tough All Over". The 'Eddie' soundtrack really came out of nowhere to score big and was a huge reason why Eddie and The Cruisers became a cult movie favorite. Around 1984, 80s music was moving away from synthesizers and more of a classic and harder Rock sound was beginning to populate the music landscape. Combine the changes in the music landscape with the boost that Cafferty got from "Eddie and the Cruisers", "Tough All Over" was ready to be a hit. This album does have some nice songs on it and is a pleasant change of pace from many other 80s albums.

The first four songs and sixth song on "Tough All Over" are the best songs. The album kicks off with a song called "Voices of Americas Sons". Sylvester Stallone had become a Cafferty fan during this period as well. He had Cafferty contribute an excellent song to the Rocky IV soundtrack called "Hearts on Fire". He had also had Cafferty do the theme song for the movie "Cobra" - and that song was "Voices of Americas Sons". Like many Cafferty songs, this song has a Bruce Springsteen flare to it Cafferty has great vocals, but it is the keyboards of Bob Cotola and drums of Kenny Jo Silva that shouldn't go unnoticed on this song. I was surprised this song didn't chart better - it is one of the best songs I've heard Cafferty do.

The second song, "Tough All Over" was a song that did garner radio airplay. This song has more of an early 80s feel to it - but Cafferty's vocals also show how the music trend in the 80s was going to more of a classic Rock sound. Once again, kudos to Bob Cotola and Kenny Jo Silva - they really provide some nice keyboards and drumming to compliment the Cafferty vocals.

"C-I-T-Y" is third song. It did get some limited airplay, but not nearly as much as "Tough All Over" got. The Beaver Brown Band once again shines with Cafferty and this time its guitarist Gary Gramolini that deserves a lot of credit. This song has a combination of Blues/R&B and Bruce Springsteen feel to it. This song features some catchy chorus vocals and some nice female background vocals by Janice Pendarvis, Dolette McDonald, and Deborah Malone.

The fourth song is "Where the Action is". This time some nice Bass action by Pat Lupo compliments Gramolini's guitar work. This song has a very different feel. It has much more of a 50s feel to it. In addition, it reminds me a lot of a Cliff Richard song. Songs like this are another reason why Cafferty was able to reach people - he found an audience in an older generation and at the same time connected with the current 80s generation.

Another nice song that is forgotten about on this album is "Strangers in Paradise". While this song has a similar feel to "Voices of Americas Sons", this one shows that Cafferty is a solid songwriter. This song tells a story of someone named 'Billy' as he ages from his teen years (in which he leaves his town) to his young adulthood (when he eventually comes home). This song is another song where I am surprised it didn't get airplay.

The remaining songs are not nearly as strong as the first four songs, but do have their moments. "Dixieland" has very much of a "Dixie" feel to it. "Small Town Girl" is an ok song with another 50s feel to it - I do like the sax intro by Michale Antunes. "More Than Just One of the Boys" is another 50s song that has some nice keyboards by Cotola. This song almost could have been on the "Grease" soundtrack. The weakest song is "Tex Mex" - this almost has a country-like feel to it. It isn't as catchy as the other songs, but it continues to show the diversity that the band brings to this album.

I got my copy of "Tough All Over" back in 1985 when it came out - and I still play it. My album cover is different in that it shows Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band in the middle of a city street. There is no reference to "Eddie and the Cruisers" on the cover of this version. The songs are the same songs. All of the lyrics are included in fold out liner notes - as well as band credits. This is a good album - probably the best album done by the band. They really weren't able to continue to ride the wave of "Eddie" following this album, but this collection has stood the test of time. July 8, 2004

The much delayed follow up to the Eddie soundtrack

Having been one of the early believers in the movie soundtrack, I was very interested in the follow up. When it was announced as an upcoming release at our local record shop, I immediately began bugging the guy for information. Originally slated for a late 1984 release, the belated success of the soundtrack album made the record company push the date back to allow the first album full command of the chart. Tough All Over was delayed until mid-1985, but when it came out, it was quite a pleasant surprise. Having lived with this album in my car tape deck for the bulk of that summer, I'm still surprised at how tepid the reception was for it. This was a really great album without a "Betty Lou" clinker anywhere to be found on it. After this the creative trough kind of ran dry for John Cafferty, but anyone who liked the Eddie & the Cruisers soundtrack would do well to pick up a copy of this album. You won't be disappointed. June 24, 2004

1985 sound meets early 60's lyrics.

From what I've read, John Cafferty's claim to fame was the voice of Eddie from Eddie & The Cruisers', and singing on that soundtrack. I recently got a buch of casettes for 50 cents at a thrift store, this being one of them.

Since I'd never heard of him until very recently, I didn't expect much, figuring it couldn't be very good. What an idiot I was! This is a certainly underrated effort that sounds a lot like Bruce Springsteen's material of the same era, but maybe a little more lighthearted and retro.

In fact, try to imagine if synthesized arena rock had existed in 1962. I'm sure this is pretty much what it would sound like.

1. Voice of America's Sons -- This Survivor meets Gary U.S. Bonds uptempo opener is one of the harder rockers. Sets the mood for the rest of the album with its fun yet working class type lyrics. Also one of the more 80's sounding songs.

2. The title track, which was apparently a minor hit, happens to be my personal favorite. Mid tempo synthesized pop/rocker about Springsteen-ish themes of a "pretty little working girl," as well as being laid off and tough times, hence the title. I don't know how this failed to be a hit, but it's no less good than anything that was.

3. C-I-T-Y -- A more blues tinged somewhat hard rock tune about working in the city. Not quite as catchy as the previous two songs, but still a d*mn good one.

4. Where the Action is -- A more fun, medium rocker about getting off work, wanting to have fun and go...well, the title says it all. Also has a slight late 50s/early 60s summertime feel to it.

5. Dixieland -- Mid tempo anthemic semi ballad about packing up and taking a vacation. Sounds like something from the "River" era Springsteen.

6. Strangers in Paradise -- Another uptempo, underrated synth rock masterpiece. 80's sounding pop tune about John telling the story from the third person of a guy and girl falling in love and of their lives.

7. Small Town Girl -- The saxophone driven soft power ballad is nothing short of excellent. A sweet story of John and a girl he's just met and gone crazy over. This is yet another song that really sounds like an 80's version of the doo-wop era.

8. More Than Just One of the Boys -- Another fun uptempo, romantic, somewhat love song. Not quite as memorable as the others, but no less good. Reminds me a little of the lighter side of Mellencamp.

9. Tex-Mex (Crystal Blue) -- After 8 good songs, this closer is the only one I can't get into much. It's the only slow ballad, which is a romantic love song with a country tinge. It sounds quite old-fashioned too, but without the fun sound that many oldies had. It's also a bit too long, but certainly not terrible.

Basically, the best way I can describe it is the lyrics and vocal style sound early 60's, whereas the music and production sounds 80's. As much as that combo seems like it wouldn't fit, it really does, and would very likely appeal to fans of both eras. DON'T overlook this album just because it wasn't popular! April 24, 2004

Foot Stomping, Hip Swaying, Rock&Roll !!!

John Cafferty and Beaver Brown rock out on this album! Filled with both hard driving rock and roll anthems, and soft, slow, romantic ballads, this CD is sure to have something for every rock music fan! American made rock and roll at its finest!!! Loaded with hits such as "C I T Y", "Small Town Girl", and the title track "Tough All Over" it is a must have CD! November 26, 2003

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