Cheating at Solitaire

Rating

Album: Cheating at Solitaire
#	Song Title		Time
1)	The Devil In Miss Jones	More Info...	0:04
2)	Don't Think Twice	More Info...	0:03
3)	Misery Loves Company	More Info...	0:03
4)	Crime Don't Pay	More Info...	0:03
5)	Rest of Our Lives	More Info...	0:03
6)	You Win Again	More Info...	0:03
7)	Cheating At Solitaire	More Info...	0:04
8)	No Man's Friend	More Info...	0:05
9)	Charmed Life	More Info...	0:03
10)	Dope Fiend Blues	More Info...	0:05
11)	Ballad Of A Lonely Man	More Info...	0:03
12)	I'm In Love w/My Car	More Info...	0:04
13)	If You Leave Before Me	More Info...	0:04
14)	Long Black Veil	More Info...	0:04
15)	Send Her Back	More Info...	0:03

Album: Cheating at Solitaire
#	Song Title		Time
1)	The Devil In Miss Jones	More Info...	0:04
2)	Don't Think Twice	More Info...	0:03
3)	Misery Loves Company	More Info...	0:03
4)	Crime Don't Pay	More Info...	0:03
5)	Rest of Our Lives	More Info...	0:03
6)	You Win Again	More Info...	0:03
7)	Cheating At Solitaire	More Info...	0:04
8)	No Man's Friend	More Info...	0:05
9)	Charmed Life	More Info...	0:03
10)	Dope Fiend Blues	More Info...	0:05
11)	Ballad Of A Lonely Man	More Info...	0:03
12)	I'm In Love w/My Car	More Info...	0:04
13)	If You Leave Before Me	More Info...	0:04
14)	Long Black Veil	More Info...	0:04
15)	Send Her Back	More Info...	0:03

Performer Notes

Personnel: Mike Ness (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars); Bruce Springsteen (vocals, guitar); James Saez (acoustic, electric & slide guitars, keyboards, percussion); Chris Lawrence (guitar, pedal steel guitar); Brian Setzer, Billy Zoom (guitar); Tom Corbett (mandolin); Mando Dorame (tenor saxophone); Jamie Muhoberac (Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards); Veikko Lepisto (acoustic & electric basses); Josh Freese, Daniel Glass (drums).
Personnel: Mike Ness (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar); Bruce Springsteen (vocals, guitar); James Saez (guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar, keyboards, percussion); Chris Lawrence , Billy Zoom, Brian Setzer (guitar); Tom Corbett (mandolin); Mando Dorame (tenor saxophone); Jamie Muhoberac (keyboards); Veikko Lepisto (upright bass, electric bass); Daniel Glass , Josh Freese (drums, snare drum).
Audio Mixers: James Saez; Mike Ness.
Recording information: Ocean Studios.
Photographer: F. Scott Schafer.
One of the things that always set Social Distortion apart from the rest of the '80s California punks was their incorporation of twangy country/rockabilly into their driving sound. They wound up covering everything from "Ring of Fire" to Jimmy Work's "Making Believe" without sacrificing a bit of sonic fury. With Social D. frontman Mike Ness' solo debut, it becomes apparent that most of those country leanings came from him.
On CHEATING AT SOLITAIRE, Ness is freed to further explore his rootsy Americana influences, from straight country and bluegrass treatments of original tunes to covers of "Long Black Veil," Hank Williams's "You Win Again" and Dylan's "Don't Think Twice." Naturally, Ness attacks much of this material with the same punk-inspired brute force and unflinching lyrical realism that made Social Distortion a success, and it makes CHEATING AT SOLITAIRE an intriguing chapter in Ness' continually unfolding musical story.

Professional Reviews

Entertainment Weekly (4/23/99, p.62) - "...Ness--freed from his powerchording Social Distortion--gleefully chomps at country...rockabilly...even thoughtful folk....it's American rock at its most rabid." - Rating: B+

Alternative Press (6/99, p.106) - 4 (out of 5) - "...the songs on CHEATING AT SOLITAIRE can be divided into two equally impressive categories: gritty, shit-kicking country and atmospheric hardcore blues..."

CMJ (4/26/99, p.28) - "...Ness' distinct growl and his gritty personality, both of which illuminate his stories in a way that should attract both ex-punk rockers and new traditionalists."

Mojo (Publisher) (12/02, p.132) - "...The album is rock'n'roll of an American vintage, all open roads and ruined lives....His honesty and gravity is never in question..."