Passings: Michael Been of the Call

The Call made three albums of fervent rock in the early eighties that caught some notice for their nervy energy and passionate lyrics. When I was in college, my college station began discovering the intense "War Weary World," and the song caught on with our listeners so strongly that the local rock station was forced to add it to their rotation...that's how strong it resonated with those that heard it. (And this was a station that had Ozzy's "Crazy Train" in a heavy rotation at the time.)

That first album, represented here by 6 songs, was as dramatic a statement made by any band of the period (U2 always sprang to mind when I listened to the album). From the deadpan "Yeah, we've seen it all before" line behind lead singer Michael Been's righteous vocal on "War Weary World" to the stark questioning of "Doubt," The Call were obviously a band to be reckoned with. By the time the second album came out, they'd toughened up enough to hammer out an MTV anthem with "The Walls Came Down." They had begun forming a fan base of such luminosity that Garth Hudson (of The Band) had become a member by this time. His keyboards helped give The Call some diversity and propelled such numbers as the instrumental "Destination." Been's songwriting was also quickly turning more and more pointed, with "Turn A Blind Eye" continuing the political acuity that "War Weary World" delivered on the debut.

Unfortunately, internal turmoil made 1984's "Scene Beyond Dreams" a transitional record. You can hear the focus shift on such tracks as "Tremble" and "Delivered," which sport a dated sound and feel less like a band than the first two albums' songs on this collection. It is also the album where Been began his spiritual journey that would gel on the albums to follow. Struggling with conflicts between Christianity and a formidable dose of rock cynicism (much like U2, Bob Dylan, Bruce Cockburn and Peter Gabriel), The Call had begun crafting songs that explored this rift with sincerity and power.

Despite the indistinct production, these five songs from "Scene Beyond Dreams" are still powerful statements about the human condition. By this time, however, there was enough tension that the band went dormant for two years, switched labels and stormed back with the incredible "Reconciled" in 1986. A singer as forceful and passionate as Been just could not be relegated to video pabulum. He and his bandmates always understood that rock, for many of us, could still make the world shift on its axis, if for only three and a half minutes. This early document of a largely unsung band is a must for those who respect deeply personalized, spiritual rock. That's pretty much the second half of The Call's noteworthy recording career, covering their stints with Elektra and MCA records, plus a few unreleased tracks and some from Michael Been's "On The Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough." 

On this set, the proof is in such songs as "Everywhere I Go." The passion is laid out, heart on its sleeve style, as Been wails away with such an earnestness that you wonder if he's looking for his lover or salvation from God (which are possibly in their eyes, one and the same). As for a one-on-one love song, Been's solo recording, "Us," addresses issues of trust and companionship in a manner that rivals some of this particular disc's contributing musicians. They include such luminaries as Bono, Peter Gabriel and Bruce Cockburn. The tone here is often one of hope, be it the wistful sort of "What's Happened to You" or the anthem "Let The Day Begin." And there is never a caving in to the banality of what frequently passes for rock rebellion.

As I posted in my review of "The Walls Came Down," Been and his bandmates always understood that rock, for many of us, could still make the world shift on its axis, if for only three and a half minutes. If you find this CD intriguing to you, pick up "Reconciled" and though they are not in print, seek out "Red Moon" and "Let The Day Begin" as well. If you only want one Call disc, than this document of a largely unsung band is a must for those who respect deeply personalized, spiritual rock.

Been is also the son of Robert Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and was doing sound for BMRC when he had his fatal heart attack. Michael Been was 60.