After moving to Los Angeles from Stockton, CA,
Dirk Hamilton attracted the attention of
Steely Dan producer
Gary Katz, who in turn helped him sign a deal with ABC Records. The result, the
Katz-produced
You Can Sing on the Left or Bark on the Right, is a quirky if occasionally misguided work, with moments of brilliance.
Katz brought in a host of session pros, including
Chuck Rainey,
Elliott Randall, and
Jeff Porcaro -- all of whom had previously worked with him on various
Steely Dan projects -- to flesh out
Hamilton's idiosyncratic, acoustic-based tunes. And while these great players are perfect for
Steely Dan's sophisticated pop/rock, they don't really do much for the material here.
Hamilton sounds loose and playful throughout, while the backing seems somewhat flat and lifeless. Still, what makes You Can Sing truly worthwhile, and distinguishes it from the other singer/songwriter recordings bombarding the industry at the time, is masterful songwriting like the terrific "She Don't Squash Bugs," the detailed melancholy of "Wasn't That One Night Good," and the opening track, "The Sweet Forever." It would take
Hamilton a couple of years to find the perfect setting for his songs but, nonetheless, his sharp wit, keen insight, and unique style are evident throughout
You Can Sing on the Left or Bark on the Right.