Punch the Big Guy is an album by the American musician John Stewart, released in 1987.[1][2] The album title was suggested by Stewart's son.[3] Stewart supported the album with a North American tour.[4] Punch the Big Guy was a commercial disappointment, selling around 25,000 in its first six months of release.[5]
| Punch the Big Guy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1987 | |||
| Genre | Folk, folk rock | |||
| Label | The Ship/Cypress | |||
| John Stewart chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production edit
Recorded in Malibu, Nashville, and Denver (on a Fostex B-16), Stewart spent $50,000 on the sessions.[6][7] He wrote the album's songs to appeal specifically to baby boomers.[8] Most of the songs deal with societal and personal problems; Stewart decided not to include songs with a lighter tone.[9] He was backed by members of New Grass Revival on several tracks.[10] Rosanne Cash contributed backing vocals on "Angels with Guns" and "Price of the Fire".[11]
Critical reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [11] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide |  [12] |
The Washington Post wrote that "the songs are doomed by their liberal breast-beating and vacuous mysticism."[13] The Los Angeles Times concluded that "this record is generally so humorless that Stewart often reminds you of a door-to-door proselytizer who won't go away."[14] The Chicago Tribune deemed the album "gentle folk songs with hard-bitten lyrics."[15]
The Advocate opined that "parts of the album have a certain charm, but it's unlikely to provide any excitement for those who haven't kept up with his previous music."[16] The Denver Post labeled Punch the Big Guy "one of the finest folk-rock albums of the 1980s, an overlooked gem of evocative lyrics and striking melodies."[17] The Arizona Republic praised the "odd mixture of '50s/'60s folk, '70s sensibilities and righteous back beat."[18]
AllMusic wrote that "Stewart achieves a genuine merger of the personal, the spiritual, and the political on Punch the Big Guy and wraps it all up in a darkly colored but accessible package."[11]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Angels with Guns" | |
| 2. | "Strange Rivers" | |
| 3. | "Hunters of the Sun" | |
| 4. | "Price of the Fire" | |
| 5. | "Midnight of the World" | |
| 6. | "Night of a Distant Star" | |
| 7. | "Botswanna" | |
| 8. | "Ticket to the Stars" | |
| 9. | "Runaway Train" | |
| 10. | "Children of the New Frontier" |
References edit
- ^ Neumann, A. Lin (December 9, 1992). "A Star Is Worn". Music. Phoenix New Times.
- ^ Spencer, Leigh (21 Jan 2008). "John Stewart". Obituaries. The Independent. p. 36.
- ^ Britt, Bruce (April 5, 1988). "Folk Singer Stewart Fights to Keep The Ship Afloat". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L18.
- ^ Campbell, Mary (26 Apr 1988). "'Punch the Big Guy' Album Keeps John Stewart Fans Happy". Los Angeles Times. p. 6:3.
- ^ Arkush, Michael (31 July 1988). "Still a Believer , John Stewart Keeps Touring, Performing". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 93.
- ^ Kinsman, Michael (December 8, 1987). "For rock faithful, John Stewart's Ship is finally coming in". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. E11.
- ^ Kaliss, Jeff (29 Nov 1987). "John Stewart's New Label for Old Folk-Rockers". Datebook. San Francisco Examiner. p. 46.
- ^ Varga, George (December 10, 1987). "Stewart a believer in the boomers". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. C10.
- ^ Longsdorf, Amy (29 Sep 1988). "Folkie John Stewart Is Still Punching After All These Years". The Morning Call. p. D15.
- ^ Potter, Mitch (15 Dec 1989). "Stewart still a daydream believer in folk music". Toronto Star. p. D12.
- ^ a b c "Punch the Big Guy Review by Jim Newsom". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1996. p. 648.
- ^ Himes, Geoffrey (15 Jan 1988). "Where Has All the Folk Music Gone?". The Washington Post. p. N17.
- ^ Lewis, Randy (27 Mar 1988). "Stewart: Serious Stuff". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 90.
- ^ Kot, Greg (27 Sep 1990). "With his baritone voice and plain-spoken songs...". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 8.
- ^ Gilbert, Calvin (December 4, 1987). "John Stewart Punch the Big Guy". Fun. The Advocate. p. 2.
- ^ Rosen, Steven (April 19, 1991). "Life, music go on for veteran folk star". The Denver Post. p. G1.
- ^ Price, Hardy (26 Dec 1987). "Radio legend transmits update from Tucson". The Arizona Republic. p. F2.