''Steve Goodman'' is the debut album of singer/songwriter

Steve Goodman Steven Benjamin Goodman (July 25, 1948 – September 20, 1984) was an American folk and country singer-songwriter from Chicago. He wrote the song "City of New Orleans", which was recorded by Arlo Guthrie and many others including John Denver, ...

, released in 1971. It included both of his most well-known compositions: " City of New Orleans", first covered by Arlo Guthrie, and an early version of "

You Never Even Call Me by My Name "You Never Even Called Me by My Name" is a song written by Steve Goodman and John Prine. Prine requested to be uncredited on the song, as he thought it was a "goofy, novelty song" and did not want to "offend the country music community". Goo ...

," which, with some modifications, was covered by David Allan Coe. The album was reissued on CD in 1999 and included two bonus tracks, "Election Year Rag" and "Georgia Rag". The album was a critical success, although a commercial failure.Paste Magazine, Steve Goodman - Unemployed
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Reception

In reviewing the 1999 reissue, Allmusic critic William Ruhlmann called "City of New Orleans" the "obvious standout" and wrote, "At a time when sensitive singer/songwriters were all the rage (a trend that probably earned Goodman his record contract), this was one guy who was at least as interested in picking an old country song as he was in baring his soul."

Track listing

#"The I Don't Know Where I'm Going, But I'm Goin' Nowhere in a Hurry Blues" – 2:32 #"Rainbow Road" ( Donnie Fritts, Dan Penn) – 3:33 #"Donald & Lydia" ( John Prine) – 4:54 #"

" (Steve Goodman, John Prine) – 4:24 #" Mind Your Own Business" (

Hank Williams Hank Williams (born Hiram Williams; September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century, he reco ...

) – 2:54 #"Eight Ball Blues" – 4:24 #" City of New Orleans" – 3:52 #"Turnpike Tom" – 4:15 #"Yellow Coat" – 4:44 #" So Fine" – (

Johnny Otis Johnny Otis (born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes; December 28, 1921 – January 17, 2012) was an American singer, musician, composer, bandleader, record producer, and talent scout. He was a seminal influence on American R&B and rock and roll. He ...

) – 3:19 #"Jazzman" (Edward Mark Holstein) – 3:42 #"Would You Like to Learn to Dance?" – 4:07 #"Election Year Rag" - 2:03 #"Georgia Rag" - 2:00

Personnel

– vocals, guitar * David Briggs – piano *

Kenny Buttrey Aaron Kenneth Buttrey (April 1, 1945 – September 12, 2004) was an American drummer and arranger. According to Country Music Television, CMT, he was "one of the most influential session musicians in Nashville history". Buttrey was born in Nashvi ...

– percussion * Vassar Clements – fiddle * Norbert Putnam – bass *Donnie Fritts – organ * Bob Dylan – piano on "Election Year Rag" * Ben Keith – dobro, guitar, pedal steel guitar *Stephen Brunton – guitar, percussion, backing vocals * Grady Martin – guitar *Pete Wade – guitar *Billy Sanford – banjo, guitar *Bucky Willkin – guitar, backing vocals * Kris Kristofferson – backing vocals *Bill Swofford – backing vocals * John Prine – backing vocals * Charlie McCoy – harmonica, organ *Martha McCrory – cello *Gene Mullins – trombone *Dennis Good – trombone *Billy Puett – clarinet *George Tidwell – trumpet

Production

* Norbert Putnam – producer * Kris Kristofferson – producer *Gene Eichelberger – engineer, mixing *Gene Hazen – mixing *Bob Cato – photography, design

References

{{Authority control 1971 debut albums Steve Goodman albums Albums produced by Norbert Putnam