Plan B (Huey Lewis and the News album)
2001 studio album by Huey Lewis and the News
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Plan B is the eighth studio album by American rock band Huey Lewis and the News, released on July 24, 2001, through Silvertone Records.[2] The release marked their first album of original material in ten years following a commercially lean decade, as well as their first project after moving away from long-time label Chrysalis Records.[2][3]
The Site (San Rafael, CA)
| Plan B | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 24, 2001 | |||
| Studio | Way Out West Recording (San Rafael, CA) The Site (San Rafael, CA) | |||
| Genre | Rock, pop rock | |||
| Length | 48:16 | |||
| Label | Silvertone Records | |||
| Producer | Huey Lewis Johnny Colla | |||
| Huey Lewis and the News chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Plan B | ||||
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The single "Let Her Go and Start Over" became a minor hit, peaking at number 23 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.[4]
Background and recording
The album's title, Plan B, was an explicit nod to the band members' collective decision to stop trying to cater to late-1990s pop modernity or chase top-40 chart success, shifting instead to purely recording music they personally enjoyed.[2] Co-produced by Huey Lewis and Johnny Colla, the sessions targeted a loose, unpretentious pub rock and soul-inflected sound reminiscent of the music of Fats Domino and Allen Toussaint.[2][5] Alongside original compositions, the album features a cover of the Nick Lowe-penned Rockpile track, "When I Write the Book".[2] It also includes a country-rock vocal duet with guest artist Wynonna Judd on the song "I'm Not in Love Yet".[2]
Principal tracking took place in Northern California at Way Out West Recording and The Site, both located in San Rafael.[6] To capture a warmer, live-ensemble sound, the group utilized an expanded horn section known as "The Sports Section," featuring touring musicians Marvin McFadden, Rob Sudduth, and Ron Stallings.[2][6] The album was mixed by prominent audio engineer Bob Clearmountain.[6]
Personnel changes
The album marked a major period of lineup transitions for the band:
- It was the final studio album to feature founding member and lead guitarist Chris Hayes. Hayes performed all of his guitar parts and backing vocals for the record but officially retired from the group immediately after the recording sessions were completed.[2][6]
- It was also the final album recorded with saxophone player Ron Stallings, who passed away from cancer in 2009.[6]
Track listing
- "We're Not Here for a Long Time (We're Here for a Good Time)" (Johnny Colla, Chris Hayes, Huey Lewis) – 3:53
- "My Other Woman" (Colla, Lewis) – 4:06
- "I Ain't Perfect" (Bill Gibson, Lewis) – 4:33
- "When I Write the Book" (cover of Rockpile) (Billy Bremner, Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe) – 3:44
- "I'm Not in Love Yet" (Duet with Wynonna) (Hayes, Lewis) – 4:28
- "Thank You, No. 19" (Sean Hopper, Lewis) – 4:52
- "Plan B" (Colla, Lewis) – 3:27
- "The Rhythm Ranch" (Colla, Lewis) – 4:49
- "Let Her Go and Start Over" (Mike Duke) – 4:47
- "I Never Think About You" (Hayes, Lewis, John Pierce) – 5:16
- "So Little Kindness" (Hayes, Lewis, Rob Sudduth) – 4:21
- Re-recording; original version on Time Flies
Bonus track (Japan release)
Personnel
Huey Lewis and the News[1]
- Huey Lewis – harmonica, lead vocals
- Johnny Colla – rhythm guitar, saxophone, backing vocals
- Bill Gibson – drums
- Chris Hayes – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Sean Hopper – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
- John Pierce – bass
The Sports Section
- Marvin McFadden – trumpet, additional vocals on "Plan B"
- Ron Stallings – tenor saxophone, additional vocals on "Plan B"
- Rob Sudduth – baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone
Additional musicians
- Wynonna Judd – vocals on "I'm Not in Love Yet"
- Jack Jacobsen – organ on "I Never Think About You," acoustic piano on "We're Not Here for a Long Time"
- Jim Pugh – organ on "Let Her Go and Start Over"
- Dallis Craft – backing vocals on "The Rhythm Ranch"
- Ric Wilson – rhythm guitar on "The Rhythm Ranch"
Technical personnel
- Producers – Huey Lewis and Johnny Colla
- Engineers – David Boucher, Johnny Colla, Huey Lewis, Merrit Pelkey and Jim "Watts" Vereecke.
- Mixed by Bob Clearmountain
- Digital Editing – Chris Haggerty
- Mastered by Robert Hadley and Doug Sax at The Mastering Lab (Hollywood, California).
- Photography – Aaron Rapoport
Charts
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | "Let Her Go and Start Over" | Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[10] | 23 |
References
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Plan B – Huey Lewis & the News". AllMusic. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- "Huey Lewis & The News - Plan B". The Daily Vault. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- "Huey Lewis & the News Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- "Huey Lewis and The News 'Plan B'". Past Prime. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- Plan B (2001). (Media notes). Huey Lewis and the News. Silvertone Records. 01241-41767-2.
- "Billboard: Huey Lewis and the News (albums)". RPM Magazine. Archived from the original on October 14, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
- "Norwegiancharts.com – Huey Lewis and the News – Plan B". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
- "Huey Lewis and the News Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. August 10, 2001. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
- "Huey Lewis & the News Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. August 17, 2001. Retrieved March 12, 2020.