October 1993

The brilliant character actor Harry Dean Stanton long had a sideline as a musician, and one could reasonably say he sang like an actor. His voice was hardly precise, as he had a habit of missing notes and falling out of rhythm in his performances, yet in terms of inhabiting the character in the songs he sang, he was splendid. For all his flaws, he could make you believe in what he had to say; he also made clear he loved to sing and was absolutely in the moment when he stood before a microphone. October 1993 pulls together nine songs from Stantons tenure with his backing band the Cheap Dates, which included Jamie James of the Kingbees on guitar, former Doobie Brother Jeff Skunk Baxter on pedal steel, Tony Sales (whose resume includes work with Iggy Pop and David Bowie) on bass, and Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats on drums. It doesnt take long for these tracks to make clear that the backing musicians were more technically accomplished than their frontman, but its just as obvious that Stanton has a presence and star quality the others do not -- he knows how to tell a story in a way that resonates with a listener. The first four selections are drawn from a studio session, and Stanton seems a bit better controlled in that environment. His version of John Hiatts Across the Borderline is a superb interpretation of that very fine song. The other five tunes come from a gig Stanton and the Cheap Dates played at Los Angeles fabled Troubadour club, and theres a lively honky-tonk energy to these tracks, as Stanton clearly enjoys interacting with the audience and the musicians give their all for the enthusiastic crowd. The live sides also put a greater emphasis on Stantons vocal failings, but when they all swing into gear on You Never Can Tell and Bright Lights, Big City, the result is a night to remember. While the charm of October 1993 may be lost on those who arent familiar with Harry Dean Stantons body of work as an actor, anyone who saw and loved him in Repo Man, Paris, Texas, or Wild at Heart will likely be susceptible to its magic, and its a warm reminder of a singular American talent. ~ Mark Deming