My Dirty Life and Times

Pickers, players & vocalists: John McEuen: mandolin; Matt Cartsonis: lead vocal, guitar; Steve Martin: banjo; John Carter Cash: harmony vocal; Andy Goessling: Dobro; David Bromberg: guitar

This Warren Zevon tune was the PERFECT vehicle for banjo frailing, but I was planning to play mandolin. So, I called Steve Martin. (I needed GOOD banjo player!) I think this was the first time Steve’s talents were requested as a “musician-only!” Always a perfectionist (since our teenage years), we rehearsed for a few hours the day before the session. He arrived prepared; wrote his own chart and brought new life into the recording.
SIDEBAR: When we were recording, Steve asked if I had a title for the album; I did not. He said, “Why don’t you call it MADE IN BROOKLYN?” …and there you have it.