Notes

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Burton Cummings's production after 1980's Woman Love, the album rejected by the bigwigs that caused the artist to suffer a nervous attack and break out in boils and hives, has been patchy at best. 1981's Sweet Sweet was spotty, often sickly; 1984's Heart had promise, but ultimately fell to its being so thin and derivative; 1990's Plus Signs was a noble attempt at "going one's own way" with its philosophical musings and deep thoughts (unfortunately, it didn't make any kind of splash). With the exception of a live album in 1996 (man and his keyboard) and a Bob Dylan cover single a few years back, Burton Cummings has been a non-issue in the popular music scene. Such a reality makes The Lost Eighties a very appealing and fascinating item to have. While there are stronger unreleased compilations circulating out there (Algebra Of Song, The Muse Will Choose, Blue Moon Sessions, etc etc), The Lost Eighties, while hardly a first-generation tape, features Burton doing some rather quirky and fascinating stuff.

Among the highlights:

01 Annoying Songs, which has Burton poking fun at such also-rans as Buffy Sainte-Marie and J. Geils Band;
04 Fame Junkie, a cut which could easily have made the singles charts;
05 For Some Time Now, which has Burton as a man with delusions and mental problems;
06 Goodnight Everybody, which has Burton speaking to our addictions, saying goodbye to some things, hello to others;
11 and 12 medleys, which is Burton doing what he loves most, that is, singing the songs of his old heroes; 13 Thank You Barry, a song Burton record for somebody named Barry Kestin (old friend).