With the title track instantaneously established among the defining songs of the 1970s (not to mention 's own career), the singing actor's first album had a lot to live up to. So, it says much for the quality of his collaboration with producer/arranger that, from the moment gets things underway, asserts itself in the most convincing manner possible -- by spinning that track off as a second worldwide hit. Neatly divided between the darkly percolating, percussive rumbles that characterized his breakthrough and the broader that would ultimately ensure 's longevity as a performer, is a supremely confident debut, as indeed it ought to be -- with a recording career that dated back to 1965, had been waiting a lifetime to make it. As he himself sings in the closing "I've been doing a show for a long time." His roots show, as well, in sweet covers of 's and / while there's also a reverb-drenched stab at proving further versatility with the mock-Caribbean swagger of (to rhyme with "I love the way you twirl," of course). Another cover, is especially persuasive, its lyric drawing such emotion out of 's voice that it overcomes even the heavy effects and canyon-like echo with which his tones are normally swamped -- yes, Virginia, the boy can sing. It is the brittle sonics of the self-composed that are most memorable, however, and ensure that his early years remain the best remembered. But next time somebody suggests that all you really need of is a decent greatest-hits collection, remember that the chirpy love songs and heartaching of later years had to start somewhere. ~ Dave Thompson