As a performer, Steve Goodman usually seemed far more comfortable playing a small club than a sporting arena (something he did for a while in the '70s as
Steve Martin's opening act), and there's a similar modesty to his best recordings. The wit, compassion, and regular-guy smarts of Goodman's songs, as well as the truly Midwestern warmth and charm of his on-stage demeanor, were communicated best in simple, intimate surroundings, and Goodman was wise enough to know it. After his five-album deal with Asylum Records ran out in the early '80s, Goodman opted to work on his own terms and start his own label, Red Pajamas Records. His first album as his own boss, 1983's
Artistic Hair, was a collection of live tracks recorded over the space of a decade that mixed covers and originals, fan favorites and obscurities. In many ways,
Artistic Hair feels more like a mixtape Goodman might have made for a friend or fan rather than a major release, which is why it also happens to be one of his most purely enjoyable and satisfying albums.
Artistic Hair is the sound of a man trying to please no one but himself and the people seated in front of him, and the playful interplay, the flow between the goofy and the contemplative, and the easygoing energy of the performances (which on several tracks includes some stellar mandolin work from
Jethro Burns) cast Goodman in his best light. He brings a casual conviction to "City of New Orleans," delivers the jokes of "Elvis Imitators" and "Chicken Cordon Blues" like a pro, gives "You Never Even Called My by My Name" the perfect boozy lope, and reminds you he can quietly break your heart with "Old Fashioned" and "The Water Is Wide." And the title, which refers to Goodman's loss of hair due to chemotherapy as he battled leukemia, is a testament to his bravery, humor, and refusal to take himself too seriously, and that's powerfully reflected in the music.
Artistic Hair is a good showcase for Steve Goodman the songwriter, but as a tribute to Steve Goodman the performer, it's practically flawless, and a must for any fan of his work. ~ Mark Deming