Greetings from the Gutter

Following two anemic-selling albums with his post-Eurythmics outfit, the Spiritual Cowboys, Dave Stewart released his proper solo debut in Greetings From the Gutter. It curtails the more rock-leaning aspects of the prior albums for a funkier, dance approach with Parliament/Funkadelic alumni Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, and Jerome "Big Foot" Brailey backing Stewart. The sultry, almost campy, "Heart of Stone" is a funky, disco-styled song with infectious backing vocals performed by a female quartet including Lady Miss Kier, Nona Hendryx, and Siobahn Fahey. "Chelsea Lovers" is a deliciously bittersweet, glam ballad (with a nod to Bowie in the lyrics). "Jealous" is stripped down and soulful and "St. Valentine's Day" opens like a Tom Waits song before giving way to a Beatlesque, psychedelic melody. Laurie Anderson adds violin and vocals to the eerie, spacy "Kinky Sweetheart," featuring a wicked guitar solo from Stewart. "Damien Save Me" has a monstrous, hypnotic groove, a smoking sax solo from Lenny Pickett, and some Hendrix-like guitar. The playing is tight, the vibe is loose, and Greetings From The Gutter is some of Stewart's warmest, most compelling work.