Somebody Up There Likes Me

Journeyman vocalist Michael Des Barres had a life-changing experience when asked to fill-in for Robert Palmer on the Power Station's tour in 1985. Des Barres -- a gifted performer and rock veteran -- was finally seeing the fruits of his labors turn into success. It's obvious in the grooves that he was enthusiastic about his present and future when cutting his second solo album, Somebody Up There Likes Me. A crack session group (featuring Andy Taylor, Steve Jones, Jim Keltner, and the Tower of Power horns) was assembled, and the LP was produced to sound like a Rod Stewart platter from the era. In fact, Des Barres -- who has a similar, ragged tone -- sounds more like Stewart here than on previous releases (emulating some of his vocal mannerisms, and even going so far as to include two members of Stewart's backing band). The man seemed keenly aware that this was the moment, turning in a strong mix of rockers and ballads. The elements were in place for a hit. "Money Don't Come Easy," "Somebody Up There Likes Me," and "Thinking With Your Body" all blend soul with hard rock to good effect, and Des Barres really lets loose on the bouncy Wilson Pickett tribute, "Locked in the Cage of Love." The moody "Too Good to be Bad" is a standout ballad. "Money Don't Come Easy," his cover of "I Can See Clearly Now," and the cheeky title track, all address his newfound fame, independence, and optimism. But it was just not to be. Even an MTV-aired video of "Money Don't Come Easy" (with starlet and friend Melanie Griffith) didn't generate much interest, and the album quickly disappeared. Surely feeling disillusioned after giving his all on Somebody Up There Likes Me, Des Barres essentially retired from the record business. ~ Bart Bealmear|