Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School explained
Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Warren Zevon. The album was released on February 15, 1980, by Elektra Records. Three singles were released from the album, one of which charted: "A Certain Girl" (a cover of a song previously recorded by Ernie K-Doe and the Yardbirds) reached 57 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was Zevon's second and final hit on that chart.
The album was dedicated to Ken Millar (1915–1983), popularly known as mystery writer Ross Macdonald, who had assisted Zevon in fighting through substance abuse addiction and successfully completing related treatment.[1]
Critical reception
Record World said of the single "Gorilla, You're a Desperado" that "Zevon paints a picturesque fantasy of LA upper middle class absurdity."[2]
Track listing
All songs written by Warren Zevon, unless otherwise indicated.
Personnel
- Warren Zevon – organ, synthesizer, bass guitar, guitar, harmonica, piano, strings, keyboards, vocals
- Jorge Calderón – guitar on "A Certain Girl"; backing vocals on "Jungle Work"
- David Lindley – lap steel on "Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School" and "Play It All Night Long"; guitar on "Wild Age"
- Rick Marotta – percussion, drums, vocals, bells, Syndrums
- Additional personnel
- The Sid Sharp Strings – strings
- Jackson Browne – guitar, slide guitar on "Gorilla, You're a Desperado"; backing vocals on "A Certain Girl", "Play It All Night Long" and "Gorilla, You're a Desperado"
- Don Felder – guitar on "A Certain Girl"
- Glenn Frey – harmony vocals on "Bill Lee" and "Wild Age"
- Don Henley – harmony vocals on "Wild Age" and "Gorilla, You're a Desperado"
- Ben Keith – pedal steel guitar on "Bed of Coals"
- Linda Ronstadt – descant on "Empty-Handed Heart"; backing vocals on "Bed of Coals"
- Leland Sklar – bass guitar
- J.D. Souther – backing vocals on "Gorilla, You're a Desperado" and "Bed of Coals"
- Waddy Wachtel – lead guitar on "A Certain Girl"; guitar on "Empty-Handed Heart"
- Joe Walsh – lead guitar on "Jungle Work" and "Jeannie Needs a Shooter"
- Technical
- Ernie Sheesley, Niko Bolas, Serge Reyes – engineers
- Jimmy Wachtel – cover
- George Gruel, Jimmy Wachtel, Michael Curtis – photography
Charts
See also
- Letter to You, a 2020 Bruce Springsteen album, features a different song with a similar title, "Janey Needs a Shooter"
Notes and References
- Web site: Zevon's 'Turning Point'. Boo. Browning. April 18, 1980. January 28, 2018. WashingtonPost.com.
- Record World. May 17, 1980. 2023-02-20. Single Picks. 16.
- Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 348.
