With the release of the 40th Anniversary Expanded Edition of Field Day, Marshall Crenshaw has fully and completely addressed the negativity that arose upon the issue of his second studio album forty years ago. Whether he intended to or not matters less than the fact the six bonus cuts, combined with his frank comments within the sixteen-page booklet, achieve that very end. And in doing so in such an understated fashion the artist only adds credence to his point(s).
Recorded quite quickly after the release of Marshall Crenshaw’s eponymous debut, the 1983 album was produced by Steve Lillywhite, fresh off his work with Peter Gabriel and U2. Full of reverb and echo, the massive sonic scope of the audio was a dramatic contrast with the unified intimacy Richard Gottehrer captured on the preceding LP. It’s not quite fair to attribute Field Day’s lack of commercial success to the production, but it must’ve left more than one music lover confused about Marshall Crenshaw’s musical style.
Nevertheless, the vast range of sound certainly suited the glorious chime upon which was built “Whenever You’re On My Mind.” And the insistence at the heart of “For Her Love” benefits as well. But the monumental instrumental and vocal range might better have been dialed back for “What Time Is It?,” perhaps excising the drums for just the jangle of tambourine and maybe even adding the sweep of some acoustic guitar(s).
Along those same lines, with the vocals muted during alternate takes of “Our Town” and “Monday Morning Rock,” this expanded reissue reveals to much better effect the mechanics of the band. Comprised of Marshall on vocals and guitar, his brother Robert on drums, and Chris Donato on bass and vocals, the intricacy of their interactions, especially the bandleader’s filigreed guitar work, come through with resounding force.
The solo recording of “Jungle Rock” by the frontman also illustrates the impetus for this music, not to mention its lighthearted and joyous tone. Yet it’s a second cover song, Doc Pomus’ “Little Sister, ” (from The King Biscuit Flower Power Hour radio series), that encapsulates the dynamism of the trio on stage: the sizable impact of their playing belies the three-piece lineup.
While that electricity doesn’t come through fully on most of Field Day, even with this 2022 remastering by Greg Calbi, there’s no mistaking the high quality of the musicianship. Or most of the material for that matter: “Our Town” and “Hold It” are comparable to anything on Marshall Crenshaw’s first album. And even though the Detroit native is vehement in his self-professed admiration for its successor as originally issued during his off-the-cuff interview in the booklet, the fact is he arranged for a different cover photo to adorn this milestone reissue as a means to further distinguish this version from its predecessor.
All the more reason to embrace this 40th Anniversary Expanded Edition of Field Day. Taken as a whole, the package restores more than a little positive connotation to the generally accepted definition of revisionism.
