Few studio sidemen ever distinguished themselves away from the shadows. Nicky Hopkins and the members of the Wrecking Crew were only too happy to bask away from the limelight. So was Klaus Voorman. Except his story has a lot more layers to it. For one, he’s a renowned German graphic designer and illustrator as well as a musician and producer. All the more alluring is his association with the Beatles, which began in the rough and tumble days of Hamburg. Along the way, he was hired to create the cover for Revolver (for which he won the first of his two Grammys) and played on records by Manfred Mann, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson and Carly Simon. By the end of the 70s, he’d had quite a journey. Three decades later (or is it four?), Voorman and his friends came together for A Sideman’s Journey, a CD of songs recorded with many of the artist’s famous acquaintances.
This 11-song disc features Paul McCartney, Yusaf Islam (aka Cat Stevens), Bonnie Bramlett, Don Preston, Dr. John and many others. There’s a generous helping of oldies like “I’m In Love Again” (McCartney on vocals and Ringo Starr on drums), “Blue Suede Shoes” (Preston on vocals) and “You’re Sixteen” (Max Buskohl on vocals). In a grand stroke of creativity, Voorman added two Randy Newman songs and three George Harrison songs to the CD. And in a turn of unexpected nostalgia, the Manfreds, including members of Manfred Mann, do a version of Bob Dylan’s “The Mighty Quinn,” a Number One hit in the U.K. for Manfred Mann in 1968.
With such an eclectic collection of songs, the CD is bound to be peppered with moments of brilliance. Yusaf Islam sings Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” and “The Day The World Gets Round” with spirited conviction, a gesture the songwriter would no doubt appreciate. Bramlett gives “So Far,” originally recorded by Apple Records artist Doris Troy and co-written with Voorman, an edgy, soulful vocal worthy of repeated spins. And there’s simply no way to avoid Dr John’s masterful “Such A Night” (though it may not be quite as stunning as his performance at The Last Waltz). To gain an even broader perspective, a deluxe edition of A Sideman’s Journey includes a 14-track CD, a book and the Making of a Sideman’s Journey DVD. Ultimately, the journey is more a celebration of Klaus Voorman — a sideman, an artist and a major component in some of the most significant events in rock and roll.
~ Shawn Perry
