Ben Vaughn has come full circle in his musical career. After starting out in the 1980s as a singer-songwriter fronting his own combo, he found success in the late 1990s doing soundtrack work for television, most notably "3rd Rock From The Sun" and "That '70s Show". The first two volumes of Vaughn Sings Vaughn put the spotlight again on his songwriting, as he revisits his back catalog for new interpretations of songs from out-of-print albums and adds a sprinkling of newer tunes.
Working with his band the Ben Vaughn Desert Classic, he shows a willingness to experiment. "I'm Sorry (But So Is Brenda Lee)", a ballad from his 1986 debut album, gets a faster tempo and fuller sound, recalling Marshall Crenshaw's version.
Vaughn is a pop devotee and is willing to explore any style of music. "Beautiful People", a new song, gets a Dixieland treatment, featuring a horn section and banjo. "When?", a song of romantic frustration, incorporates Latin rhythms and wouldn't sound out of place in a Broadway musical.
Vaughn's sense of humor is evident on "Trashpickin'", his tribute to recycling, and "Rhythm Guitar", a nod to the band member least likely to be noticed. "If you listen real close, you know you might hear me," he sings over a chugging Eddie Cochran-style beat.
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