Dennis Lambert
The Viper Room
The Sunset Strip
West Hollywood, CA
March 4, 2008
By Victoria Joyce
(SugarBuzz Hollywood)
OK, strolling on the Sunset Strip during the daylight hours, we see this kid taking a picture of the marquee of the Viper Room. We couldn’t resist, we had to ask, “Got your name up in lights, huh, kid?”
“No, it’s my dad, Dennis Lambert. He’s doing a show here tonight. There’s a documentary about him premiering at SXSW next week. That’s what this show is about.” This kid was bursting with pride and the name rang a bell. Dennis Lambert is a songwriter who wrote some serious American Classics. Son, Jody gave us the short list that included “One Tin Soldier,” the theme from classic film “Billy Jack.” Again, we couldn’t resist.
Going on at 7:30p is pretty early for the Viper but the place was packed with family, friends, associates and lots of music people.
“This medley is called ‘Why Are They Both in A Flat?” Dennis intro’ed a couple of songs written for Glen Campbell; “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Country Roads.” Both songs having that 70’s Country vs. Hollywood, Flower Power, Pop thing going on. You know, “I love my house in the hills, but I miss those sweet Southern nights” thing. We get it. I like being rich and successful but something is missing. And everyone in the house sang backup vocals on “like a rhinestone cowboy.” Damn pretty thing. If I had a country home, I would miss it.
Lambert was waxing poetic between songs about all his friends and co-writers, full of love and having a blast with his three back up musicians and his three lovely back up singers. That’s a lot of people on stage for the tiny Viper.
With a raspy, limited voice there is something very special about a writer singing his own stuff. Lambert has quality of soul that is so down home. Striking an even deeper chord when his stuff has been covered by some of the great pop and soul voices ever. And this guy did it all; pop, rock, country and rhythm & blues. Here’s another short list: The Grass Roots, Dusty Springfield, The Four Tops, Natalie Cole, Hamilton, Joe, Frank & Reynolds. Don’t put your love out on me, baby.
Next up Dennis was joined on stage by his co-writer, Siedah Garrett for “Don’t Look Any Further,” a song so cool it inspired an episode of the “X Files.” (Still cooking, this lady won a recent Grammy for "I Love You I Do" from the movie Dreamgirls.) And, yeah, this reunion of writers was a stoned soul picnic. The chorus is in Swahili. Funk me.
Dennis included in California protest song, “I Didn’t Sing in the New York Subways.” And went into the Valentine’s Day Official Song in the Philippines (he’s big there) “Of All the Things,” which is the name of the documentary premiering in Austin next week.
The big finish was the tribute song to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, “Night Shift.” Guest vocalist was Walter Orange, co-writer and lead singer of the Commodores who had the hit. Joined on stage by a beautiful choir of voices, they really let it fly. There WAS some sweet singing on this nightshift. We got all misty.
If you are in Austin for 2008’s SXSW Festival check out his doc. His kid, Jody directed. No wonder he’s so proud. They don’t write ‘em like this anymore.
http://2008.sxsw.com/film/screenings/film/F9717.html