One of the Boys

by William RuhlmannRoger Daltrey called on a wider circle of friends for his third album and came up with a more varied collection of songs, from Steve Gibbons' raucous title track to ex-Zombie Colin Blunstone's country-styled "Single Man's Dilemma." Daltrey also co-wrote three songs with producers David Courtney and Tony Meehan, and Beatle completists should note that Paul McCartney contributed a new song, "Giddy." But the best selections were Andy Pratt's "Avenging Annie," a stirring story-song (and minor U.S. chart entry), and Murray Head's plaintive ballad "Say It Ain't So, Joe," both of which Daltrey sang as effectively as he had any Who song. The backup band included such notables as Who bassist John Entwistle, Wings guitarist Jimmy McCulloch, keyboardist Rod Argent, and special guest guitarists Hank B. Marvin (of The Shadows), Alvin Lee (Ten Years After), Eric Clapton, Andy Fairweather-Low, and Mick Ronson. But Daltrey was never in danger of getting lost in the all-star session. Nevertheless, the album was not treated as a major release and found only modest commercial success.