The Randy Meisner 1978 self-titled album was Randy’s first solo studio album and was produced by his friend, Alan Brackett:
“Alan Brackett played bass and sang for the Peanut Butter Conspiracy and was one of the band’s principle songwriters and founding members. Prior to the PBC, he had played drums with Jan and Dean and bass with the Righteous Brothers. Brackett is a prolific songwriter whose songs have been performed by Three Dog Night and ex-Eagles member Randy Meisner. His music can also be heard in the movie soundtracks for ‘Run, Angel, Run’ (1969), ‘Cherry, Harry & Raquel’ (1970), and ‘Killer Party’ (1987), as well as in numerous TV commercials. He also produced Randy Meisner’s debut solo album (1978).“
Excerpt from allbutforgottenoldies.net
David Cassidy and JD Souther were two of the background singers on this album. Audios of all twelve songs are below.
John Kosh was the designer and art director for the album cover. Kosh was also the designer of Randy’s 1982 solo album, One More Song solo album, and the Hotel California album. “Randy Meisner” was released in June 1978 on Asylum in the United States and in the United Kingdom.
There are photos and articles below, including one from Creem Magazine.
Randy Meisner 1978 self-titled album front and back covers with his vintage green Mercury car
Jim Shea, cover photographer
Photos for album press kit
Gene Fletcher Brownell, photographer
Inside gatefold cover
Songs from the Randy Meisner 1978 self-titled album
“Take It To the Limit” from the album with David Cassidy on background and John Hobbs on piano
“Bad Man”
“Daughter Of the Sky”
“It Hurts To Be In Love”
“Save the Last Dance For Me”
“Please Be With Me”
“Lonesome Cowgirl”
“Too Many Lovers”
“If You Wanna Be Happy”
“Every Other Day”
“Heartsong”
“I Really Want You Here Tonight” was the single from the album, and it was Randy’s first solo single.
It was written by the album’s producer, Alan Brackett.
Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, GA) – June 10, 1978
“I Really Want You Here Tonight” from the album with JD Souther and David Cassidy as two of the background vocals
“I Really Want You Here Tonight” song credits from the album’s gatefold inside cover and the sleeve for the single record.
The photo on the singles sleeve is the full image version of what was used on the album inside cover.
Wikipedia
Randy Meisner’s antique Mercury on the cover of his album
“The vintage ’50s Mercury on the cover of his new album is only one of 25 classic cars he owns.”
Lincoln Journal Star (Lincoln, NE) – Aug. 3, 1978
Randy listed the Mercury and several other vehicles from his collection for sale in the Scottsbluff Star-Herald in 1983. He eventually sold all of his vintage cars and trucks, except for his red Ford truck. While Randy owned them they were in storage in the back of a Nebraska car dealership warehouse.
Star-Herald (Scottsbluff, NE) – Apr. 24, 1983
After Randy sold his green Mercury, it was painted white by the new owner, who was also a Scottsbluff resident.
“After leaving the Eagles on the completion of the Hotel California tour…what I really needed was a rest… However Elektra Records had a leaving members clause and I had to record an album for them before I was able to do what I wanted.”
Album review in The Daily Tar Heel – University of North Carolina student newspaper (Chapel Hill, NC) – June 1, 1978
“Meisner even takes one of his recent Eagles’ hits, ‘Take It To the Limit,’ and reworks it beautifully with only piano, guitar and vocal accompaniment.”
Minneapolis Star (Minneapolis, MN) – June 30, 1978
“Tracks include ‘Bad Man,’ which was released on the ‘FM’ movie soundtrack, the upcoming single, ‘I Really Want You Here Tonight,’ and new renditions of ‘Save the Last Dance For Me,’ as well as ‘Take It To the Limit,’ which was a smash hit for the Eagles.”
The Tribune (Scranton, PA) – July 15, 1978
“For the last decade or so, bassist and singer Randy Meisner has been part of a parcel of bands, among them the Soul Survivors, Poco, the Stone Canyon Band, and the Eagles, which he helped found in 1972 and left in 1977.”
Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL) – July 23, 1978
“The Ronstadt band included Glenn Frey and Don Henley, who, along with Bernie Leadon and Meisner, became the Eagles in 1972.”
Lincoln Journal Star (Lincoln, NE) – July 24, 1978
Goldrush photo is below.
As mentioned in the article above, Goldrush is the name of the band that Randy Meisner formed with Stephen Love in Scottsbluff.
In this photo Randy and Stephen are performing at The Woodshed in Scottsbluff in 1969 or 70. (There is one reference where Stephen says its 1969 and another he says 1970.) Randy even closed his eyes when he sang back then, too.
“Randy acknowledges his past with a re-shaped version of ‘Take It To the Limit’ and attempts a couple of older oldies such as ‘Save the Last Dance For Me’.”
Acton Gazette (London, England) – July 27, 1978
“As any Eagles fan knows, Meisner has a great lead vocal track record. His ‘Take It To The Limit’ was the focal point of the Eagles’ stage show for the past few tours. Also, Meisner’s a romantic and he can deliver a touching ballad better than most.”
Cleveland Scene (Cleveland, OH) – July 27-Aug. 2, 1978
WKDF in Nashville played side 1 of Randy’s album
The Tennessean (Nashville, TN) – Aug. 11, 1978
“‘Bad Man’ is a find. It is an old Glenn Frey-John Souther song that the Eagles almost put on their first album but didn’t.”
Dayton Daily News (Dayton, OH) – Aug. 20, 1978
“To help with the harmonies, he has along a choir which includes David Cassidy — who always had a nice voice as well as a pretty face.”
“Working with a group of competent unknowns, Meisner has turned out a creditable record, a gratifying potpourri of pop music.”
Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) – Aug. 7, 1978
Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, PA) – Aug. 24, 1978
“But during the recording sessions, keyboard player John Hobbs started playing the song between takes. He’s played a lot of gospel piano and gave the song a new feeling. I started singing along, and we finally decided to include it.”
Teen Magazine – Oct. 1978
“…and his voice–especially his voice–are nothing short of incredible, mind boggling, unique, possibly once-in-a-lifetime.”
“There is even an appearance by David Cassidy singing background vocals.”
Creem Magazine – Oct. 1978
Online review by AllMusic
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