On April 19, 2013, the surviving three members of the Call reunited for the first time in close to two decades. They were joined by bassist and vocalist Robert Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, who filled in for his dad, the Call’s main songwriter, front man, vocalist Michael Been. The reunion took place at the famous Troubadour in Los Angeles, California, and has been released as DVD and CD set called A Tribute To Michael Been.
A sedate “Everywhere I Go” starts with Jim Goodwin on keyboards and backing vocals, Tom Ferrier on guitar and backing vocals, Scott Musick on drums and backing vocals, and Been on bass and lead vocals. We are into another Call classic, “I Still Believe” with Goodwin layering in his distinct key lines to create some instantly recognizable early Call magic.
By the time the foursome plays the aching love lament “I Don’t Wanna,” one is truly being reminded of the great tunes Michael Been wrote and how solid a quartet this California band was (For Vintage Rock fans it is important to note that Garth Hudson plays on the first three Call records). Robert Been’s voice is the strong on this song, and even though Ferrier is a little too loud in the mix, what he manages are as much wild riffs as rhythms.
In fact, Ferrier’s playing is truly inspired throughout. This is band always had a very good handle on their dynamics, intertwining their unique rhythms around what Michael Been could do with his fat bass playing, rich vocal and melodic sense. The Call’s songs, presented from a good bunch of their catalog here, come alive with simple yet effective proficiency.
One wonders what a full tour might have been like with Robert Been fronting? On “Oklahoma,” he jokes that the fretless bass he’s playing was his father’s, which was once stolen and recovered but still a bitch to play. He does so perfectly, even for a duet spot with Musick. Elsewhere, the band gets into a solid blues funk on “Let The Day Begin” and “Modern Romans” cooks.
“You Run,” featuring Been on just acoustic guitar and vocal, is a true gem, a simply delivered rendition of a beautiful love song. The overhead single spot seen on the DVD creates the perfect visual. In fact, the camera work on the DVD throughout pretty much stays with the band, close enough to touch them as they keep the lights murky and low, befitting these complex, darkly lyrical tunes.
Michael Been is not replaced here by his son – the band that steps on the Troubadour stage this night pays tribute to him. Listening to how expertly and lovingly these four men create these sorely missed tunes on, A Tribute To Michael Been revives a great band with style, grace and reverence.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
